Philippines: Senior military, police, coast guard officers oriented on IHL and law of naval warfare
Organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this year's workshop focused on potential conflicts at sea and gave participants the opportunity to refresh their knowledge on IHL-related topics, including the law of naval warfare and maritime law enforcement. The workshop also served as an opportunity for the participants to discuss the development of IHL in the Philippines and the way the law is being implemented by their organizations.
The ICRC's humanitarian mandate and mission were also discussed, with emphasis on its work to protect victims of armed conflict by preventing or addressing violations of IHL through bilateral, confidential dialogue; visiting detainees for humanitarian reasons; reuniting families separated by conflict; and providing technical forensic support to authorities. The seminar also highlighted the ICRC's formal partnerships with the AFP, PNP and PCG, linked to IHL, international human rights law and maritime law enforcement principles promotion and integration.
ICRC delegate for the armed forces Ricardo Lucero Jr. briefs participants on the humanitarian mandate and mission of the organization.
Photo: C. Gutierrez/ICRC
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity. It aims to relieve their suffering, often working alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.