(Photo courtesy of AFP)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment towards a strengthened implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as the country commemorates IHL Day on Thursday.
“I congratulate all AFP members for continuously uplifting and protecting the Filipino people; promoting their rights especially during this time of the pandemic,” said AFP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, Jr., in a statement.
Military officers and personnel joined uniformed and civilian government agencies, and other partner institutions in the virtual reading of the pledge of commitment which was led by AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC) director, Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which chairs the IHL Ad Hoc Committee, is leading this year’s celebration which is anchored on the theme, “Upholding the Law of Armed Conflict Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic: Protecting Humanity for Healing and Recovery”.
This highlights the continuous advocacy and awareness-raising on the value of IHL, especially during the pandemic.
The IHL month celebration in the country started on August 9 through a virtual ceremony facilitated by the AFPCLOAC.
The DFA also conducted a virtual seminar that tackled how the principles of IHL provide additional safeguards to people and are crucial to the efforts of societies to respond, recover, and build resilience towards a post-pandemic future.
August 12 was declared as IHL Day by virtue of Executive Order 134 signed by former President Joseph Estrada in 1999.
This observance coincides with the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which is a set of international treaties that form the core of IHL and to which the Philippines is a contracting party. (PNA)
