Phl leads meet on conventional weapons

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines led the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) in Geneva.

Known as the Inhumane Weapons Treaty, the Convention also seeks to “ban or restrict the use of specific types of weapons that are considered to cause unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering to combatants or to affect civilians indiscriminately.”

It is a vital pillar of disarmament and international humanitarian law (IHL). Minister Jesus Domingo served as chairman.

Brig. Gen. Noel Miano, Armed Forces Munitions Control Center chief, delivered the Philippine statement on the need to invigorate efforts of all stakeholders against the usage of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and to complement the efforts of the Anti-Personnel Landmines and Cluster Munitions treaties.

IEDs are the CCW weapons that have caused the most casualties in the Philippines.

They have become the weapon of choice by armed non-state actors due to the ready availability of their components, such as fertilizer and cellphones.

Miano made a special presentation on the Philippine experience in dealing with explosive remnants of war (ERWs). ERWs are also a major IED component.

Heading the Philippine delegation was Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Evan Garcia.

Other members of the Philippine delegation were Lt. Col. Frederick Baradi and Attaché Hossana dela Cruz. 1Lt. Mario Feliciano PA served as special assistant to the meeting chairman.