ICRC President Spoljaric meets President Marcos, Jr. during her visit in the Philippines highlighting IHL to support peace and stability

 

(L-R) Johannes Bruwer, Regis Savios, ICRC Pres. Mirjana Spoljaric, Phil Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

BY JUN ENRIQUEZ

Manila (ICRC) – Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), emphasised the critical role of international humanitarian law (IHL) in alleviating suffering and preserving pathways back to peace during her first official visit to the Philippines from 19 to 21 August 2025. 

At right, ICRC Pres. Mirjana Spoljaric in MAA

President Spoljaric travelled to the epicentre of the 2017 Marawi conflict, the Most affected area (MAA), where she heard from people still grappling with the lasting consequences of the fighting. She also visited a transitory shelter and the Maqbara cemetery, where unidentified human remains are buried. More than 300 families are still searching for loved ones who went missing during the conflict, while thousands of people are still displaced from their homes. 

While there is some progress eight years on with some private structures being rebuilt and small businesses thriving, majority of the properties remain damaged. Displaced families share their challenges with President Spoljaric at the Dulay transitory shelter. Eight years after the end of the Marawi conflict, many families are still living in transitory sites and are unable to rebuild. Many families are still living in transitory shelters like Dulay, eight years after the end of the Marawi conflict. Some of them have to spend a lot of money to go to the city centre, as these transitory shelters are located far from their sources of livelihood and schools.

Kairan Macatanong, IDP

Kairan Macatanung, a displaced mother, as part of the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) gets emotional during the meeting with ICRC President Spoljaric. In some shelters, people faced challenges in their access to water, livelihood and transport.

Marivic Asis and Litisia Palahang’s family members have been missing since the 2017 Marawi armed conflict. Marivic is searching for her brother while Litisia is looking for her son. Both of them talked about the challenges they face as families of missing people during a meeting with President Spoljaric at the Maqbara cemetery in Marawi.

Marivic Asis (left), Liticia Palahang (right)

The effects of armed conflict can be felt for years, if not decades, after hostilities cease. IHL obligations extend beyond active armed conflict, as seen in the Marawi conflict. 

“It is possible and essential to bring the cases of the missing to a closure. The ICRC will continue to work with the authorities and families to clarify the fate of missing people. Helping them find answers is vital for healing and recovery,” President Spoljaric said.

In Manila, ICRC President Spoljaric met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and other high-level officials on August 19, 2025. She reiterated the importance of IHL in reducing the human and economic costs of war globally, and stressed that the Geneva Conventions remain essential even after fighting ends. Along with the meeting were Johannes Bruwer, ICRC Head of delegation in the Philippines and Regis Savios, ICRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific. 

Marker at Maqbara cemetery

During her visit, ICRC President Spoljaric also met with Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. of the Department of Defense; and Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. She also engaged with the leadership of the Philippine Red Cross.

“The Philippines is an active supporter of IHL and is taking a leading role in global efforts to revitalise states’ commitment to these lifesaving rules,” President Spoljaric said. “In a world where there are approximately 130 armed conflicts – many of high intensity – we need more states to consistently champion the rules of war to reduce suffering and preserve pathways back to peace.”

(L-R):  ICRC Pres. Spoljaric, Ph Pres. Marcos, Jr.

President Marcos and Spoljaric discussed the role of the Philippines in fostering a culture of respect for International Humanitarian Law in the Asia Pacific region and the importance of the Philippines’ voice in fostering peace and dialogue amidst ongoing humanitarian crisis and armed conflict around the world.

“Upholding international humanitarian law largely rests on the firm resolve of national governments. Ultimately, we bear the responsibility of translating international commitments into domestic policies and practices to protect the most vulnerable,” said President Marcos, Jr..

Spoljaric highlighted how the Philippines’ leadership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can help address urgent humanitarian crises and support dialogue for ceasefires in some of the world’s hardest-hit regions.

Participants of the Asia Pacific Conference

The courtesy call comes on the heels of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Asia Pacific Regional Conference last August 11 to 14, 2025, co-hosted by the Philippines and the ICRC. The event provided a platform for the Philippines to share its experience in establishing an Inter-Agency Committee on IHL last year through Executive Order 77 signed by the President.

To date, the Philippines is only one of six countries in Asia Pacific with a permanent national IHL committee.

The Philippines and ICRC share a long history of partnership since World War II, and have continued to work closely in providing humanitarian assistance across the country in response to the consequences of armed conflict, natural disasters, and other crisis situation.

In the Philippines, ICRC’s work focuses on protecting civilians and those affected by conflict, visiting detention facilities and advocating humane treatment of prisoners, and restoring family links.

ICRC Pres. Spoljaric (left), DFA Sec. Maria Theresa Lazaro (right)

ICRC currently maintains offices in Manila, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, and the Visayas, and works closely with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), its leading partner since the 1970s.

ICRC is an impartial, neutral, and independent humanitarian organization established in 1863 and based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to protect the lives and dignity of people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, and to promote respect for international humanitarian law.

About 18,000 staff working in around 100 countries, the ICRC responds to emergencies, supports victims of conflict, and works with governments, armed groups, and communities to uphold humanitarian principles. (With reports by ICRC News release; Malacanang News release; Photos by Noel Celis/ICRC and Alex Ruelo/ICRC)