“Protecting children in situations of armed conflicts is not an option. It is both a legal and moral obligation.”

This was the message of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in its Human Rights Advisory on Protecting the Rights of Children Affected in Situations of Armed Conflict.

The advisory came in the middle of ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian impact of internal armed conflicts.

In a statement, the CHR lamented that children remain among the most vulnerable during these situations. “They face displacement, loss of education and health services, psychological trauma, and the risk of recruitment and exploitation by armed groups,” it said.

It provided an in-depth analysis of the persistent challenges faced during armed conflict and underscored the gaps in systematic reporting, monitoring, and rehabilitation for affected children.

It noted the lack of comprehensive data on children involved in armed conflicts, limited access to conflict zones, and insufficient dedicated care facilities -- all of which hinder the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11188, the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act.

Despite the challenges, the CHR noted with satisfaction that the Philippines has been delisted from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict in 2025.

It said: “It is a commendable achievement. However, the commitment to prevent grave child rights violations and maintain international compliance must be sustained.”

The CHR recommended the strengthening of the monitoring and reporting system under the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict to ensure the timely and accurate documentation of grave child rights violations.

It also called for the establishment of dedicated child-caring facilities for rescued or separated children, equipped with trained personnel and tailored rehabilitation programs to address their unique needs.

In terms of service delivery, the CHR expressed hopes that it can be improved by enhancing the training of frontline responders, implementation of psychosocial and reintegration programs for affected children, the finalization of agency protocols for coordinated case management, and community awareness campaigns to strengthen understanding of children’s rights and the duties of all actors during armed conflict.

The CHR lamented the “unfortunate reality that despite clear prohibitions under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), children continue to be unlawfully recruited or used in hostilities.”

“While some may have directly participated in armed conflict, IHL and human rights law affirm that they are entitled to special respect and protection, including prioritizing their release, demobilization, and rehabilitation, not their prosecution as combatants, in line with upholding the best interest of the child,” it pointed out.