DFA Remembers Marawi, Launches Activities for International Humanitarian Law Day

16 August 2017 MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs launched a series of activities on Monday to mark International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day with Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Chair of the IHL Ad Hoc Committee, leading the celebration.

“Human rights are universal since we are all made in the image and likeness of God," the Secretary stated in his remarks following the flag raising ceremony as he underscored the importance of observing respect for IHL in the context of the ongoing conflict in Marawi City in Mindanao.

The Secretary also stated that he “salutes the men and women who are working to ensure that the international humanitarian law in the country is implemented." 

IHL is part of the body of international law that governs the conduct of war. It aims to limit the effects of armed conflicts on the people who are not part of the hostilities.

Together with other IHL Ad Hoc Committee members, the DFA through the Office of United Nations and other International Organizations (UNIO), will visit the soldiers who are currently under hospital care at V. Luna hospital or Fort Bonifacio Army General hospital, and provide them with some of the items they need for their early recovery and rehabilitation. The funds to be used to finance this activity will come from savings earmarked for IHL commemorative activities. 

Among those who joined the Secretary in the morning celebration were Senator Richard J. Gordon, who stated that "the Philippines is only nation in world that observes International Humanitarian Law Day." This is made possible through Executive Order (EO) No. 134, which mandates the DFA and DND to alternately chair the IHL Ad Hoc Committee tasked to implement commemorative activities for the IHL celebration.

The message of the Executive Secretary on the occasion of the IHL was read by Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Philippine Human Rights Committee-Secretariat (PHRC-S) which emphasized the importance of IHL in times of conflict and war.

Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana of the Department of National Defense (DND), for his part reflected on IHL, government actions and the ongoing conflict in Marawi.

The highlight of the celebration was the opening of the photo exhibit and showing of IHL video clips titled, “Rules of War” and “Emblems.”

The morning celebration also witnessed the handing over of P50,000, an initial donation by the DFA Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Incorporated (DFAMPCI) to the victims of Marawi.Also in attendance were Brigadier General Jose Antonio Carlo Motril, Head of the Human Rights Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP), Chairperson Oscar Palabyab of the Philippine Red Cross and Mr. Boris Kelecevic, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). END