3. It is the duty of the State to exercise its role as Parens Patriae to provide special protection to children against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development unable as they are to take care of what concerns them. Thepolitical community of the State should look after their welfare (Nery vs. Lorenzo, 44 SCRA 431 (1973). 4. Children who may have committed offenses or find themselves in conflict with the law should be given special attention under the Child Welfare Code (Presidential Decree No. 603). If a minor is found guilty of an offense, the sentence will be suspendedto give him opportunity forhis rehabilitation. 5. The Commission on Human Rightsreiterates its position thatit is against any law imposing death penalty. The Commission also reiterates the Resolution submitted to the Senate to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenanton Civil and Political Rights, appealingto all states to abolish death penalty in their statutes. The majority of the nations have already abolished death penalty which is consistent with the protection and promotion of human rights. The International Criminal Court, approved in Rome, and the UN Special Tribunals, trying moreserious cases with genocide and crimes against humanity do not impose deathpenalty. QuezonCity, 13 September 1999. (originally signed) JORGER. COQUIA Commissioner 34