Red Cross welcomes new PHL law penalizing misuse of emblem

The International Committee on the Red Cross on Monday welcomed the passage of a new Philippine law that would punish the misuse of the emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Crystal. Pascal Mauchle, head of the ICRC delegation in the Philippines, said the new law - Republic Act 10530 - will help better protect Red Cross personnel especially in dangerous situations. "This is an important development, as it will also help enhance protection for Red Cross staff and volunteers in the Philippines who deliver neutral and impartial humanitarian aid, sometimes in dangerous situations. It will also provide protection for the military medical services," Mauchle said in a news release. The ICRC noted that under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, the emblems may not be used by unauthorized bodies or persons. Under the new RA 10530, those who misuse the symbols face fines of P50,000 while foreigners who violate the law may be ordered deported and blacklisted. If the crime using the emblem results in death or serious physical injury, the violator faces a fine of P500,000 to P1 million. "The law stipulates that misuse of the Red Cross emblem in armed-conflict situations is considered a war crime and is punishable by up to 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to P1 million," the ICRC added. For her part, Philippine Red Cross Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang said the emblem law is "another milestone in the history of the Philippine Red Cross." "This speaks well of the country’s recognition of and respect for our role as an auxiliary arm of the government in its humanitarian endeavors. This also reinforces further the need for all Red Cross workers to be protected at all times as they carry out their humanitarian mission across the country,” she said. Staff and volunteers of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement use the emblems for protection against military attack in the battlefield. The Movement includes the ICRC, the Philippine Red Cross and other national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The ICRC had given technical advice to the Philippine Congress in the creation of the law. — DVM, GMA News