Philippines

Contrary to the experiences in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to a lesser extent in Colombia, the long-running conflict in the Philippines has taken place mostly in isolated regions such as Mindanao. For most Filipinos outside these areas, the conflict is therefore a distant phenomenon, and they mostly learn about it on the news and not from first-hand experience. Consciousness of the Geneva Conventions is low, and there exists little knowledge of the rules of war. Filipinos are more likely to turn to the government or government officials before an international institution when looking for civilian protection. (See Country Report Philippines for details.)