Administrative Order No. 84: Procedures in the Handling and treatment of Children Involved in Armed Conflict

These procedures were adopted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in 2002 via Administrative Order No. 84. In Section B, this administrative order articulates the following general policies:

1. Children as zones of peace shall be continuously advocated to ensure their protection from harm and access to essential services that ensure their survival.
2. In all actions concerning rescues and surrendered children in situations of armed conflict, their welfare and best interests shall be the paramount consideration. These children must be the object of respect and their rights must be protected at all times without discrimination.
3. The children who were rescued or surrendered to government forces, LGUs, NGOs or individuals shall be treated as victims not as offenders irrespective of their involvement or membership in armed groups.
4. Family care either by child’s biological parents or alternative parental care through foster and kinship case shall be considered as the first placement option. Residential care shall be considered as the last resort.