CAMP G. NAKAR, Lucena City, Quezon -- The Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (SOLCOM-AFP) reaffirmed its commitment to protect human rights and the uphold the International Humanitarian Law on Monday in commemoration of the International Humanitarian Law awareness month in this camp.
Brigadier General Armand M. Arevalo, Solcom deputy commander and Human Rights Officer, led the reading of the pledge that reaffirmed the AFP’s adherence to the principles of IHL and commitment to have it promulgated in all military and civilian personnel.
With the theme ‘Upholding IHL as we Recover from the Pandemic: Bayanihan to Reduce the Suffering in Armed Conflict Toward Advancing the Gains of Peace and reconciliation,’ this year’s commemoration highlighted the importance of IHL in preventing unwanted sufferings of actors involved in armed conflict.
Solcom chief Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente O. Bacaro conveyed the message of the AFP Chief-of-Staff General Andres C. Centino that urges the AFP to stay on the right track, improve performance, and focus on accomplishing the mission of protecting the people and the state.
“Over the years, much has been done to institutionalize the fundamentals of IHL, all of which underscores the importance of human rights and dignity and their protection above all else,” the message said.
Bacaro was appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos as the next AFP Chief-of-Staff.