Protecting children in situations of armed conflict is not optional. It is both a legal and moral obligation.

Despite on-going efforts to address the humanitarian impact of internal armed conflicts, children remain among the most vulnerable. They face displacement, loss of education and health services, psychological trauma, and the risk of recruitment and exploitation by armed groups.

The Commission on Human Rights has issued a Human Rights Advisory on Protecting the Rights of Children Affected in Situations of Armed Conflict [1]. It provides an in-depth analysis of these persistent challenges and underscores the gaps in systematic reporting, monitoring, and rehabilitation for affected children. It notes the lack of comprehensive data on children involved in armed conflict, limited access to conflict zones, and insufficient dedicated care facilities—all of which hinder the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act.

The Philippines’ delisting from the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict in 2025 is a commendable achievement. However, the commitment to prevent grave child rights violations and maintain international compliance must be sustained.

CHR recommends strengthening the monitoring and reporting system under the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict to ensure the timely and accurate documentation of grave child rights violations. It likewise calls for the establishment of dedicated child-caring facilities for rescued or separated children, equipped with trained personnel and tailored rehabilitation programs to address their unique needs.

To improve service delivery, the CHR calls for enhanced training of frontline responders, the implementation of psychosocial and reintegration programs for affected children, the finalization of agency protocols for coordinated case management, and community awareness campaigns to strengthen understanding of children’s rights and the duties of all actors during armed conflict.

CHR recognizes the unfortunate reality that despite clear prohibitions under international humanitarian law (IHL), children continue to be unlawfully recruited or used in hostilities. While some may have directly participated in armed conflict, IHL and human rights law affirm that they are entitled to special respect and protection, including prioritizing their release, demobilization, and rehabilitation, not their prosecution as combatants, in line with upholding the best interest of the child. ###

[1] CHR (VI) A2025-014 – Human Rights Advisory on Protecting the Rights of Children Affected in Situations of Armed Conflict: https://bit.ly/childreninarmedconflict