State Violence Against Children in the Philippines
PREDA Foundation, Inc.; World Organisation Against Torture
E-mail: predair@info.com.ph; omct@omct.org

The Philippines is obligated under international law to take legislative, administrative, judicial, or other measures to prevent acts of torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The government is obligated to criminalize acts of torture, including complicity or participation therein. According to this document torture in the Philippines persists despite international and domestic commitments. Some techniques of torture used during 1989 to 2003 are similar to those used during the Martial Law ('70s and early '80s). Those most at risk of being tortured are alleged members of armed and unarmed political opposition groups, criminal suspects, the poor, and those who are suspected of being terrorists.

The report also tackled the torture and degrading treatment of children. It notes the gaps in the implementation of legislation that protect the rights of children conflict with the law (CICL). It is recommended that the laws and procedures from the children's arrest be clarified.