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Camp General Antonio Luna, Lamao, Limay, Bataan
12-14 May 2009
delivered by
LEILA M. DE LIMA
Chairperson
CLOSING REMARKS
Good afternoon everyone!
First of all, let me thank Engineer Pepito Bauto, Director of the Government Arsenal, as well as the members of his staff. We appreciate the work your institution has done, in order to organize this seminar-workshop. This event is especially important because knowledge of human rights law, and international humanitarian law, are vital to the work done by the professionals in the Department of Defense.
Let me also thank the facilitators and panelists at this seminar, from local government units and the Department of National Defense. Your presence here is significant, because the effort to prevent and punish violations of human rights, and of the laws and customs of war, involves all the organs of government. We all have a part to play in this endeavor.
Furthermore, let me thank the Philippine Action Network on Small Arms. The work that you do, in order to deal with the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, is appreciated. May your participation in this event further your goals of increasing awareness and developing responses to this problem.
Let me thank the members of the Commission on Human Rights who participated in this seminar. It is good to be here with you. I am very proud of the work that you do. And as we continue our work, take heart from the fact that we are part of a vast network of individuals, organizations and institutions, in the Philippines and throughout the world, working simultaneously toward the goal of justice and dignity for all. This seminar itself demonstrates the breadth and diversity of our coalition.
Finally, let me thank the delegates and staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross. From the Battle of Solferino in 1859, through two world wars, four Geneva Conventions, and three Additional Protocols, your organization has continued to carry out its role as the guardian of international humanitarian law. Your expertise and experience in this body of law is unparalleled. And your willingness to engage in humanitarian work, even where it is dangerous, and largely out of the limelight, is appreciated.
Let me also add that the members of the Commission on Human Rights continue to hope for the safe and speedy release of your colleague, Eugenio Vagni. As his period of captivity enters its 120th day today, Eugenio remains in our thoughts.
Today, this seminar-workshop draws to a close. The presentations are over. The panel discussions have ended. We prepare to go our separate ways.
And as we part ways, for the next chapter of this story, we focus on the primary participants at this conference, you, the members of the Government Arsenal.
Thank you for taking time off from your duties at the Government Arsenal, in order to be at this seminar on human rights law and international humanitarian law. We appreciate your presence here over these past few days.
At its core, this seminar-workshop has been all about you. You received training from resource persons with expertise in human rights and humanitarian law. At the same time, you contributed to the discussion, by asking questions and giving voice to your own thoughts on these subjects. Now that the seminar is over, it will be time for you to return to your assigned posts and to your assigned tasks where it is easy to fall into the false sense that our minute duties have no profound effect on the human rights landscape – that our individual tasks and our individual thoughts have no impact on the humane conduct of warfare. This cannot be farther from the truth.
Everyone is important. My role may seem so important, being the head of the Constitutional human rights body. But I am no more important to the cause of human rights than you are. I cannot effect change no more than you can, UNLESS together, we are all able to imbibe in our own hearts and minds the honorable cause of being human rights defenders.
Human rights exists for the benefit of ALL persons. And it can only be fully manifest where every single human being is on board in promoting the defense of human rights. Whether you are on the field of battle, whether you fire the guns, contribute to the supply line, or herd the evacuees, tend to the wounded, there is no role that has absolutely no impact on human rights thought. Hindi natin tunay na maisusulong ang ganap na pamayanang nagmumungkahing ipapatupad at ipagtatanggol ang karapatang pantao para sa lahat kung payak o hindi buo sa puso nating lahat ang kahalagahan nito. We hope you will keep this in mind when recalling this training and your experiences here.
As the Government Arsenal proceeds to manufacture ammunition, as well as develop weapons and munitions, recall that international humanitarian law prohibits means and methods of warfare which cause unnecessary injury or suffering, or which cause severe or long term damage to the environment. Remember as well that humanitarian law imposes other prohibitions related to weapons, so you must continue to read, and learn, and seek more information, on the laws and customs of war. Be aware of the latest issues of international humanitarian law in relation to conventional weapons and tactics. Be aware that Israel through the IDF, had been accused of using white phosphorous shells in bombarding civilian installations, causing unnecessary injury and death to civilians. Be aware of the protocols on landmines, cluster bombs, weapons and tactics that indiscriminately cause injury and death, whether to enemy combatants or civilians. Be aware that sometimes, the very weapons that are produced by our own hands have been used in carpet bombardments on enemy AND civilians positions. Be not detached to the fact that the product of your own hands, has sometimes been used carelessly resulting in the loss of lives of civilians. Be aware of issues in relation to the accuracy of inventory, the long-standing practice of soldiers selling their armaments, only to have the same weapons used against your fellow soldiers. Bullets manufactured by your own hands have caused the untimely demise of your own colleagues.
What can you in the Government Arsenal do?
As you proceed to deliver ammunition and eventually weapons, to the military and law enforcement, make it clear where your bureau stands on the issues of human rights and humanitarian law. Make it clear that the Government Arsenal condemns any and all violations of these.
Condemn the targeting of civilians, and the killing of foes who can no longer fight. Hold individuals responsible for the weapons they lose, weapons that end up in enemy hands used against soldiers of the AFP. Denounce the summary execution of suspects, and the torture or inhumane treatment of detainees, even if enemy combatants disregard international humanitarian law. Denounce these acts when committed by the AFP, even if enemies of the State butcher our own soldiers, behead them, mangle them, torture and eviscerate defenders of our Constitution and flag. We are NOT like them. You in the government, in the armed forces, can never be allowed to concede and behave like common criminals and bandits. You cannot adhere to any policy or principle incompatible with the duty to protect life. That is why you are government – that is why we all have sworn to defend the Constitution, and the people by whose mandate we have animated the Constitution.
Let there be no doubt that when it comes to human rights and humanitarian law, the Government Arsenal does not violate, nor does it condone violations of our nation's international legal obligations.
This training-workshop has been an important preliminary step – to see your contribution to the military supply line and logistics as a component of human rights protection. You MUST take a position, as members of the armed forces, you cannot afford not to have a human rights stand. You must begin to make your stand.
We now look forward to seeing how the Government Arsenal will continue to advocate, for human rights and humanitarian law, through its statements and through its programs, over the coming years.
In the end, remember that adherence to human rights law and international humanitarian law, is also in your best interests. When we abide by the laws and customs of war, we promote the safety of our own comrades, your fellow soldiers, especially those who are taken prisoner. When you respect and protect the fundamental human rights of persons, you help create a society which will promote respect and protection for your own individual human dignity as well.
By acting honorably, we help keep our soldiers safe. When we condone dishonorable acts, we perpetuate the disregard for the welfare of our soldiers, and even encourage enemies of the state to commit brutal atrocities against combatants and civilians. By respecting each individual's rights, we help ensure that our rights will be respected as well.
And in the end, we look ahead to the world we will be passing on to our children, and to our grandchildren. Instead of the society that we live in today, we choose as our legacy, a better society, one which offers justice and dignity for all. We choose to give our children a better nation, and a better world. And if we are to do so, we all need to be a part of the movement for human rights protection now.
Thank you very much, and thank you again to all you, our dearest participants in this seminar-workshop on human rights and international humanitarian law. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang ating malayang bansang Pilipinas.