Bill for safety of children in armed conflicts sought

MANILA, Philippines  -Lawmakers on Monday vowed to file a bill that would penalize any individual who would violate children's human rights particularly during armed conflicts.

The bill imposes a lifetime prison term and a fine of up to P5 million.

The lawmakers said they would push the passage of the bill in the next Congress.

Deputy Speaker Maria Isabelle Climaco (1st District, Zamboanga), one of the authors of House Bill 4480, said protection of children in armed conflict is an important aspect of any comprehensive strategy to resolve conflict and should be a priority concern of the government.

“The Philippines has a long history of armed conflicts.  Filipino children are the most affected by these conflicts impacting severely on their lives,” Climaco said.

Climaco said children’s rights are indiscriminately violated, many of them continue to become victims of killing, maiming, rape and other forms of violence and abduction.

Schools and hospitals are also being attacked in utter disregard or respect for people, Climaco added.

“During conflicts, children experience the loss of access to food, water, sanitation, health, education and other basic services and humanitarian assistance,” Climaco said.

Climaco added that armed conflicts also make children vulnerable to different kinds of exploitation, including being recruited as combatants, spies, messengers or cooks.

Marikina City 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, co-author of the bill, said human rights violations include killing, torture, intentional or causal maiming, rape, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.

Parents, ascendants, guardians, step parents or collateral relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity or any person having control or moral ascendancy to the child who allows or encourages, compels, coerces, or influences their child or children to be part of an armed group, face six to 12 years imprisonment.

“The bill shall provide relief, protection and rehabilitation to all children and to end impunity and prosecute those responsible especially for grave child rights violations in armed conflict,” Teodoro added.

There are six co-authors of the measure.