HUMANITY AMIDST CONFLICTS 16 and the MILFare both gaining headway, with the learn and understand. It is very important that negotiating panels committing and are currently civiliansat the locallevel participate in advocating preparing for the resumption of the peace talks and ensuring that parties to the armed conflict that we expect to happen soon. comply with IHLprinciples; These positive developments provide new impetus Second for the advocacy and implementation of IHL. Even measure to humanize war,it should not encourage now,relative peace in Mindanaois enhanced with any armed group to continue engaging in warfor the suspension ofoffensive military operations by in truth, war can never be humane. Point: While IHL is an overarching the AFP andthe suspension of military action by the MILF,alongwithintensive efforts for the early In the end, IHL should remind us of one very recovery of the internally displaced families. important thing: that war should be preventedat all costs andall efforts must be exhausted to end Concluding Statement all forms of armed conflict. On that alone, the Executive Secretary Ermita underscored two annualobservanceofInternational Humanitarian points on a matter ofprinciple andpolicy,to wit: Law Day should remain meaningful andrelevant. First Point: While IHL sets the rules for In closing, Executive Secretary Ermita, on behalf combatants in engagingin conflict, and monitored of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, wished by thestrategists,it is not for combatants alone to successto all in their collective efforts. ACHELY CEM t SECRETARY