Protection of children in armed conflict bill now a law 

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that would provide special protection for children affected or displaced by armed conflict.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act on January 10, 2019, a copy of which was released to media on Tuesday.

The new law aims to extend “protection to children in situations of armed conflict from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their development, taking into considerations their gender, cultural, ethnic and religious background.”

It also mandates the State “to take all feasible measures to prevent the recruitment, re-recruitment, use, displacement of, or grave child rights violations against children involved in armed conflict.” / gsg