The Philippines was actively involved in the process to develop a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and was among the first group of states to endorse the Political Declaration in Dublin in November 2022.
During the consultations, the Philippines said it was delighted to see strong elements emphasising the harm to civilians, including explicit recognition of lifelong disabilities arising from injuries from explosive weapons in populated areas, as well as the references to reverberating effects, including those arising from damage and disruption to infrastructure. It also welcomed references to rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, and said that the language on victim assistance could be more robust to also include the facilitation of their full social economic reintegration, and the full realisation of their rights and their full participation as members of communities. It also expressed concerns over threats posed by non-state actors.1 During the final round of consultations in June 2022, the Philippines emphasised that the centrality of the victims should be the overriding consideration and advocated for comprehensive and gender differentiated victim assistance, the facilitation of rapid safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and the recognition that the impact of explosive weapons reverberates even long after the cessation of hostilities.2 At the Dublin Conference in 2022, the Philippines reiterated many of these remarks and reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the protection of civilians against the threat and reverberating impact of explosive weapons in populated areas.3
Statements and positions
The Philippines has on several occasions spoken on explosive weapons in populated areas in multilateral forums. During the 75th UN General Assembly First Committee in October 2020, the Philippines expressed concern over the humanitarian harm arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and committed to participating in international efforts to address it.4 During the UN General Assembly First Committee in 2023, the Philippines welcomed the Political Declaration and highlighted the importance of its adoption.5 That same year, at the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Philippines emphasised the applicability of IHL to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.6
Alongside its individual statements, the Philippines has repeatedly aligned with other states to deliver statements on explosive weapons in populated areas. It endorsed the joint statement on explosive weapons in populated areas during the 74th UN General Assembly First Committee in October 2019.7 The statement, delivered by Ireland, encouraged states to participate in international efforts to address the impacts of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on civilians, including by working towards the creation of an international Political Declaration on this issue.8