War: Navigating international law

War: Navigating international law | Daily Tribune

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the Philippines finds itself watching a volatile region erupt once again in conflict. While our geographic distance may insulate us from the immediate dangers of missile strikes and retaliatory attacks, we cannot afford to remain indifferent. As a member of the international community — and as a state that values peace, stability and the rule of law — the Philippines has both a legal and a moral duty to speak out and act in accordance with international norms.

At the heart of this conflict lies a troubling breach of several foundational principles of international law. Under the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 2(4), all member states are prohibited from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This core rule of international relations has been disregarded repeatedly, as both Israel and Iran engage in unilateral military actions that escalate regional instability and endanger civilian populations.

Moreover, the principle of proportionality and the obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and Customary International Humanitarian Law, are at risk of being trampled. Reports of civilian deaths, attacks on infrastructure and retaliatory strikes raise legitimate concerns about violations of the laws of armed conflict. These actions may amount to war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which the Philippines ratified in 2011 and which continues to guide its position on accountability and justice.

As a member of the United Nations, and a state with a long history of contributing to peacekeeping missions, the Philippines must join the international call for de-escalation. Our commitment to a rules-based international order — often invoked in our own regional disputes — must be applied with equal vigor in the Middle East. We must support UN-led diplomacy, humanitarian access to conflict zones and full investigations into any violations of international humanitarian law.

From a foreign policy perspective, the Philippines must safeguard the welfare of our overseas Filipino workers in the region. Our role, therefore, is dual: uphold the law and protect our people. Any evacuation or repatriation must be pursued with urgency and coordination, consistent with the state’s duty under customary consular law and international human rights norms.

In the Israel-Iran conflict, neutrality cannot mean silence. The Philippines must affirm its position: that war crimes must be condemned, civilians must be protected, and peace must prevail — always under the guiding light of international law.