Int’l humanitarian law for soldiers

Armed Forces of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines will train soldiers on international humanitarian law as part of the military’s advocacy to promote human rights.

The education of around 30 soldiers will take place in Davao City from Feb. 23 to 26.

Col. Jose Antonio Carlos Motril, chief of the Human Rights Office, said they would promote human rights and international humanitarian law among soldiers and even members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) at the 10th Infantry Division in Panacan.

“As frontliners, our enlisted personnel and the Cafgu need to know the basic principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and respect for wounded or captured fighters,” he said.

The AFP will conduct the training with the International Committee of the Red Cross, a neutral organization mandated to protect and assist civilians affected by armed conflict and other situations of

violence.

The training will include lectures on international humanitarian law principles and Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine International Humanitarian Law Act. Julie M. Aurelio