13 August 2013 – With the theme “Pagrespeto sa IHL: Susi sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran”, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND), formally opened the month-long commemoration of IHL with the presentation of the commemorative International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) photo exhibit at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini on August 12.
The one-week exhibit is a moving compilation of 40 historic and contemporary images of the ICRC in the field, celebrating its 150 years of service to humanity. The exhibition spans from the Spanish-American War of 1898, to the two World Wars of the twentieth century, and through the recent conflicts in areas including the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Afghanistan and Syria.
During the opening ceremony, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Q. Del Rosario highlighted the DFA’s efforts to bolster the cause of humanitarianism through the revival the IHL National Committee, together with its partners in government and civil society.
“This is significant in the midst of the situation that the government faces in the southern Philippines and other affected areas. Upholding international humanitarian law by all sectors will not only benefit persons not involved in armed conflict but is intended to result in eventual cessation of hostilities and to discourage war. Indeed, respect for IHL was clearly an important key to peace and development, a norm and value shared by both the Philippine Government and the MILF, leading to the recent breakthrough in our peace process through the Bangsamoro Framework. It is also of the highest relevance for the sake of our Overseas Filipinos, as our brothers and sisters abroad who are in conflict areas need the protection that respect for IHL affords,” Undersecretary Del Rosario added.
Col. Rhoderick M. Parayno, Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) Human Rights Office, also informed the guests during the program of the successful holding of IHL Fun Run/Bike-Riding/Blood-Letting Activity last 10 August at Camp Aguinaldo which also formed part of the IHL Month celebrations and participated in by representatives of the DFA and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
“The participants increased remarkably based on last year’s figures. We had about 550 runners this year, about 80 bikers, and more or less 200 blood donors. At this rate, we have to improve more our preparations for the coming years. Apparently, our awareness campaign is gaining ground,” Col. Parayno reported.
Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Member of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Board of Governors; Mr. Pascal Mauchle, ICRC Country Head of Delegation; Chief S/Insp. Augusto Marquez of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office; and Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) on behalf of Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa also delivered messages during the event.
Other agencies and organizations which graced the ceremony included the DND, Department of Justice, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Commission on Human Rights, the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) and the Geneva Academy for IHL and Human Rights.
Aside from the Fun Run/Bike-Riding/Blood-Letting Activity and the Exhibit, the DFA, in coordination with FSI, will also be hosting a two-day training on IHL on 29-30 August 2013 at the Bulwagang Blas F. Ople. Day 1 of the training will tackle the topic “Introduction to IHL”, while Day 2 will discuss “Developments and Challenges of IHL Implementation in the Philippines.”
Executive Order (E.O.) 134 mandates the DFA and DND to co-chair an ad-hoc committee to formulate and implement the annual celebration of IHL month, in collaboration with the ICRC, PRC and other concerned NGOs and people’s organizations in the country. The E.O. also officially declares August 12, 1999 and every 12th day of August thereafter as IHL Day to raise people’s consciousness and promote greater awareness of the principles of IHL. Assistant Secretary for United Nations and other International Organizations (UNIO) Jesus R.S. Domingo serves as the Chair of the IHL Month for 2013. END
