I I T t ! I IE I I m ru MESSAG E lheme-hwards a Philippine Program of Action on Effecting lnternational Humanitarian Law-stems irom the participants' recommendations during the flrst international humanitarian law (lHL) national summit in 2009. Stressing the need to institutionalize IHL in the Philippines, itwas a fltting focus forthe achievements This yea/s n,e have attained so far. Foremost of these is the enactment of Republic Act No. 9851, also known as the Act on Crimes against tnternational Humanitarian Law, Cenocide and other Crimes against Humanity, on 11 December 2009. lt is the centerpiece legislation showing the Philippines adherence to the principles of IHL lt is also quite notewofthy :hat the related domestic legislation of an act penalizing tofture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading ireatment or punishmen! Republic Act No. 9745,was also enacted on 10 November 2009. Since the last summit, activities and projects have been undertaken upon the initiative of the Commission in :onsultation with a number of expefts. \,\'e have conducted the firsttraining for lawyers and investigators to equip them with specialized knowledge in ,nr,estigating and prosecuting crimes punishable under the IHL law. A hand book for investigators and lawyers tn violations of human rights, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide was also realized. \ number of cases have already been completed; these will be submitted to the Department of Justice or to the :ourts. We also hope to share some of the cases to the diplomatic community and to the media. The CHR just ,nished the investigation of the Leonard Co case and had sentthe reportto the various stakeholders. ln that ::se alone, we feel thatthere are a number of issues touching IHL questions that should be scrutinized since .:ere is this lack of consciousness of IHL principles and laws. A lot of these cases can actually be studied and :nalyzed to bring out some of the lessons that we can learn. -ast November, a roundtable discussion on R.A. 9851 implementation actions among various government siakeholders was an enliqhtening experience as it pointed out institutional successes and shortcomings in rplementing the law.The Commission has also been exploring possible collaborations with institutions, such :s the UP lnstitute for lnternational Legal Studies, wherein the CHR was invited as a resource office for the -stitute's efforts to harmonize R.A.9851 with the Rome Statute through legislative amendments.We are also - talks with the Philippine Judicial Academy to come up with an agreementto assistthe institution in training -Jges seruing in courts that have jurisdiction over oflences defined by R.A. 9851.