Related Rule
Philippines
Practice Relating to Rule 54. Attacks against Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population
Section A. Attacks against objects
The Philippine Army Soldier’s Handbook on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (2006) provides:
During combat operation:
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12. Avoid destroying crops, properties and possessions. During military operations, avoid damaging plants and properties along the way. Avoid using incendiary that […] would set fire combustible materials such as “sawali,” “nipa” and other indigenous materials usually used for huts in the village. If unavoidable, pay for the damaged properties as soon as the combat operations are over or else repair or replace the damages.
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14. Do not disrupt nor dislocate the livelihood source of the civilian populace. When the conflict is not massive and can be contained in a particular area, do not involve areas that are populated by civilians.
Philippines, Philippine Army Soldier’s Handbook on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, A Practical Guide for Internal Security Operations, 2006, p. 58, §§ 12 and 14.
The Guidelines on Evacuations adopted in 1991 by the Presidential Human Rights Committee of the Philippines provides:
The military is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable for the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural means for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestocks, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works [1977 Additional Protocol II, Art. 14].
Philippines, Presidential Human Rights Committee, Resolution No. 91-001 Providing for Guidelines on Evacuations, Manila, 26 March 1991, § 2.
