FOREWORD The Commission on HumanRightshasbeenat the forefront in promotingthe protection of and adherence to Human Rights (HR) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)sinceits creation by the Philippine Constitution in 1987. To systematically carry out its constitutional mandateto “establish a continuing program of research, education and information to enhancerespect for the primacy of humanrights”, the CHR formulated and, since 1988, had been consistently implementing its Strategic Plan for Human Rights Promotion. In the same year, CHR also developed its General Human Rights Education Curriculum, which had, among others, two big modules: one, Human Rights in TimesofPeace; and another, Human Rights in Times ofEmergencies. In the early days of CHR,civil society organizations (CSOs)casted their doubtinglooksat the capacity of CHR to promote HR and IHL. Yearsof consistent and systematic delivery of HRIHLeducation and advocacy programscontributed to the building of their confidence with CHR,such that, in 1989, the CSOsstarted to earnestly seek the cooperation and support of the CHRto their advocacies, inter alia, for the protection of vulnerable groups, especially children, internally displaced persons, and indigenous peoplesin situations of armed conflict. For 2009, one of the major adyocacies of CHRis the commemorationofthe 60" anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. The commemoration provided a good opportunity to take stock ofthe gains madesofar in the promotionoftheideals and principles of IHL in the Philippines. Onits part, CHR’s initiatives include the following: - institutionalization of HR-IHL education in the career coursesof the military and the police [Because of this, UNESCO awarded CHRits 1994 Prize for Human Rights Teaching.]; - together with other advocates, advocacy for the passage of the IHLbill which is now RA 9851 [better known asthe “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity”); Uv