President Marcos has created an Inter-Agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IAC-IHL) that will serve as a national committee tasked to assist the government in raising awareness on international humanitarian law.
The IAC-IHL was created through Executive No. 77 dated Nov. 22, 2024.
"The IAC-IHL shall serve as the national committee tasked to advise and assist relevant government authorities in implementing, developing, and raising public awareness regarding IHL," the four-page EO stated.
Under the EO, the committee is tasked to formulate and implement year-round programs and activities for the promotion of IHL and other relevant treaties, international agreements, and other instruments to which the Philippines is a party, including commemoration of IHL Day every 12th day of August.
It is also tasked to study and submit recommendations to concerned government agencies regarding the effective implementation of and compliance with IHL and coordinate and collaborate with concerned government agencies, as well as non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, the academe, and other stakeholders, towards the promotion of and compliance with IHL. The IAC-IHL may likewise invite them as observers and/or resource persons to aid in the performance of the Committee's mandate.
It will serve as focal point for coordination and cooperation both within the Philippine government and with external partners on IHL promotion and compliance before, during and after wars or armed conflicts.
It would also monitor compliance of agencies with IHL and report violations thereof to relevant authorities. As may be necessary, it will also create, convene, and reorganize sub-committees or technical working groups to assist in the implementation of the order, and perform such other functions as may be directed by the President and/or the Executive Secretary.
The committee will be co-chaired by the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). They shall provide administrative and technical support to the committee.
Members of the committee include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Justice (DOJ); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH); Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Philippine National Police (PNP); Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU); and Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat.
The co-chairpersons and members of the IAC-IHL may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who are fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf.
The IAC-IHL shall convene at least once every quarter or as often as may be deemed necessary by the co-chairpersons.