National Summit on International Humanitarian Law in the Philipppines 45 OPEN FORUM COMMISSIONERCECILIA R. V. QUISUMBINGchaired the Open Forum. Atty. Jose P. Perez: have a relative who is a member of MILF or a Atty. Perez, Court Administrator of the Supreme memberof the military or the police. When we Court, reported that the Supreme Court, together speak of impartiality, that is really a standard with the ICRC, has been conducting a Photo that guides our humanitarian response and that Exhibit and Information Caravan on the we onlyfocus on the humanitarian needs. We do International Humanitarian Law and Justice to not pay attentionto the political affiliation of the variousplaces, such as: Quezon City, Pasay City, IDP. Wedo notpay attention to their religious Pasig City and Lapu-lapu City. In addition, they affiliations as well. Our mainfocus is really, ifa will be conducting the sameexhibit at Davao City, personis a civilian, andifthatcivilian individual Angeles City and Laoag City. Its purpose is is in need. dissemination of IHL. “Of course, when you are doing particularly Question No. 1 humanitarian advocacy, it also becomes very Comm. Quisumbing: important what your analysis is. And that’s why Commissioner Quisumbing asked Ms. Mercado on to us, the conduct ofprotection threat analysis OXFAM’spolicy on the importance of impartiality is, thefirst step which basically draws out what which would mean a non-taking of political are the threats to the basic humanrights, the chances. She asked: “what then would be your threat to the dignity, safety and even the recommendations for the Philippine context economic well-being of civilians. That’s our where we do see unfortunately many civil society starting point. organizations and individuals who are not only advocates of human rights and IHL causes but “When it comesto taking sides in political also have causesofvery political nature and who conflicts, OXFAM itself takes a neutral position. have said openly and publicly that they are We make sure that nothing that we do can be opposing the current administration. What do interpreted as favoring oneside overthe other. you think is the effect on the advocacy for IHL So we really abide by those two principles of compliance?” neutrality and impartiality.” Ms. Lan Mercado, OXFAM Country Question No. 2 Director: Participant: “Perhaps I will begin answering the question by “What institutionalbodies will implement IHL in explaining what we mean by impartiality. To us, particular? I wantto ask whatpowers must these when wespeak of impartiality, we refer to the institutional bodies possess to implement IHL and fact that we deliver services, we do not held IHL violators accountable? In particular, I distinguish whether you are a Muslim or a canstill recall the conclusions made by the Melo Christian, whether you are aligned with, or you Commission in which they said, that someofficers