The Philippine government is committed adherence to the guiding principles of IHL while addressing the threats to national peace and security, according to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday said that the government remains committed to the protection of the defenseless and vulnerable, especially women and children, amidst terror and insurgency in the country.

During the annual commemoration of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Medialdea said, “True to the spirit of IHL, (the PH government) shall stay faithful to the law that ensures special protection of children in situations of armed conflict, the national plan of action on women, peace and security that embodies protection of women and girls in conflict situations.”

“We continue to impress upon everyone the Philippine government’s committed adherence to the guiding principles of IHL while addressing the threats to national peace and security,” he added.

Medialdea alluded to the local terrorism from communist armed groups which have fought the Philippine government and have committed countless human rights abuses.

“These groups are relentless in seeking the downfall of our government and the death of our democratic ideals,” he said.

Early this year, the communist groups have committed crimes such as the summary execution of police officers, the brutal killing of indigenous people in various provinces, planting landmines in Negros Oriental, destroying development projects and attacking of other private companies through the destruction of fruit plantations and mining firms in Mindanao as its owners rejected the groups’ extortion efforts.

“This local terrorism is even aiming to spread its influence in schools,” Medialdea pointed out referring to the use of primary and secondary schools in remote villages by terrorists to train more than a thousand children from indigenous peoples’ communities as child combatants.

Meanwhile, the government has formed the National Task Force to put an end to local communist terrorism with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself as the head.

Medialdea also commended uniformed officers who courageously fought and confronted threats while upholding their role as protectors of the nation.

“Your work continues to define the Philippine government’s strong and firm commitment to International Humanitarian Law. God bless and keep you always,” he said.