DFA leads International Humanitarian Law Activity to Honor Marawi Troops 

(L-R) PA Marivil Valles, AFP Lt. Col. Jezsel Bautista, AFP BGen. Jess G. Estoesta, AFP BGen Jose Antonio Carlos Motril, AFP BGen. Edwin Leo Torrelavega of V. Luna Hospital, the combat-soldiers, Acting Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano, DFAMPC General Manager Nancy Marquez, Director Pamela Salvan of OPAPP and Acting Director Vanessa Bago-Llona of UNIO during the program. Photo credits: Ms. Toni Van Espen-Boonen

20 November 2017 — The Department of Foreign Affairs, chair of the 2017 International Humanitarian Law (IHL) ad hoc Committee, visited the combat-wounded soldiers at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center at Camp General Victoriano Luna on November 04, as part of this year’s IHL Day celebrations. 

The DFA in coordination with IHL member-agencies, held a brief program for the soldiers. DFA-UNIO Acting Assistant Secretary Raquel R. Solano delivered a message to the combat-wounded troops emphasizing the role of the military in the implementation of the International Humanitarian Law, and commending the soldiers for their commitment to duty.

Brigadier General Edwin Leo Torrelavega, Commander, AFP Health Command welcomed the DFA personnel and the IHL Ad Hoc Committee, and thanked the visitors, on behalf of the government troops for recognizing the role and contribution of the military in the defense and protection of the people

The program also featured a song rendition by the DFA Chorale group which included the following in its repertoire: “Close to You,” “Fly me to the Moon,” “Imagine,” “Kumukuti kutitap,” “Pasko na Sinta ko,” and “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.” Some of the soldiers were teary-eyed when the DFA Chorale sang “Imagine.”

The IHL Committee had lunch with the soldiers and members of their families. Cash gifts totaling Php 103,000 were also handed out to 206 soldiers by the DFA Multi-Purpose Cooperative, chaired by DFA UNIO Assistant Secretary Bayani S. Mercado, who was represented in the event by DFAMPCI General Manager Nancy Marquez.

The IHL Committee is alternately chaired by the DFA and the Department of National Defense (DND) and is composed of the following agencies: Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its branches; Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Navy (PN)

IHL Day is celebrated every 12 August 2017.

Brigadier General Edwin Leo Torrelavega (L) receives the gift for the combat-wounded soldiers at V. Luna Hospital from the DFAMPCI General Manager Ms. Nancy Marquez (R). UNIO Acting Assistant Secretary Raquel R. Solano and DFAMPCI Director Francisco Magno witness the hand-over ceremony of the donation. Photo credits: Toni Van Espen-Boonen