The continued decrease in grave violations against children in the Philippines, coupled with the intended agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), offers a glimpse of hope for children affected by conflict a new report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Philippines shows. Marking a 50% decrease compared to the previous period, the report highlights 58 grave violations against 43 children verified between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023. Mindanao remained the most affected region where half of the grave violations were committed.
“I welcome the continued engagement of the Government of the Philippines towards child protection. The current peace talks provide additional opportunities for the inclusion of child protection elements in the peace negotiations and future agreements. I encourage all parties to consider their inclusion as early as possible,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba.
Despite the decrease in violence, sporadic low-intensity clashes continued to affect the overall security situation, with a surge of clashes in 2023. The killing and maiming of children, the recruitment and use by armed groups, and attacks on schools remain the most verified grave violations. 25 children were verified killed or maimed among which four children below the age of 5 were killed. The main perpetrators of grave violations were the New People’s Army and the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute group. Child casualties mostly resulted from crossfire between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and armed groups, as well as explosive ordnance.
Incidents of sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access were also verified, though in low numbers. The Special Representative expressed concerns at the proximity of armed conflict incidents to schools, which resulted in class suspensions in eight provinces.
While the number of children detained for alleged association with armed groups decreased to 6 children, the lack of reintegration services for affected children remained an issue. The Special Representative calls on the Government to ensure that detained children are immediately handed over to civilian actors, in accordance with the law, and are provided with adequate reintegration and support services. She further urges the international community to continue to support politically and financially the sustainable and tailored reintegration of children.
The Special Representative also urges armed groups, notably those part of a peace process, such as NPA, to end the recruitment and use of children and to release associated children from their ranks for reintegration purposes. She reminds all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to put in place measures to end and prevent violations against children, and to engage with the UN to adopt concrete measures.
Engagement for Children
The Government of the Philippines continued to cooperate closely with the United Nations on the implementation of the Philippines’ child protection architecture, notably the 2019 Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law. This includes the completion of the Handling Protocols on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict of the AFP and PNP, a milestone which the Special Representative welcomes. Furthermore, the country task force continued to coordinate with the Council for the Welfare of Children on areas of concern, notably the referral for services of detained children, as well as capacity-building of government personnel. “The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Government and authorities of the Philippines as well as all parties to reinforce the protection of children and delivering the dividends of peace to children,” Virginia Gamba added.
The Special Representative underlined that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and their personnel, must be protected. “I welcome the extension of the national strategic plan between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United Nations, which includes the strengthening of the protection of schools by the armed forces, including informal schools such as community schools,” she said.
Finally, the Special Representative emphasized that the start of peace negotiations between the Government and the NDFP remains an important moment to ensure the inclusion of child protection in the discussion.
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Grave violations against children in the Philippines
Total of grave violations: 43 children affected (33 boys, 10 girls)
22 cases of recruitment and use
25 children killed or maimed
1 girl endured sexual violence
7 attacks on schools and protected persons
2 girls verified abducted
2 incidents of denial of humanitarian access
Parties listed in the Philippines
Non-state armed groups that commit grave violations affecting children
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG): Recruitment and use of children
- Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF): Recruitment and use of children
- New People’s Army (NPA): Recruitment and use of children
