In photos: Vice President Gilles Carbonnier’s first visit to the Philippines
Mr Carbonnier checks a building damaged by armed conflict at Marawi’s most affected area.ICRC/Jojo Sescon
Unidentified human remains from Marawi’s most affected area are buried at the Maqbara cemetery. The ICRC installed sturdy grave markers to support in the future identification of these remains. From left: ICRC forensic specialist Eyad Al Hakeem and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support delegate Alexia Bonato brief Vice President Carbonnier on the ICRC’s support to families in their search for loved ones who went missing in the Marawi conflict.ICRC/Jojo Sescon
PRC Chairman Richard Gordon, PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang, and PRC staff welcome the ICRC team to General Santos City.ICRC/PRC
PRC’s Bakuna (Vaccine) Bus has administered over 300,000 vaccine doses and booster shots in Mindanao, with the support of ICRC. In their visit to General Santos City, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon, Mr Carbonnier, and Ms Cipolla witness a COVID-19 vaccination being conducted inside the bus.ICRC/Baipulo Sultan
Usman Nando, Wali of Bangsamoro (2nd from left) and other BARMM ministers and officials meet with Mr Carbonnier, ICRC head of Philippines delegation Boris Michel, Ms Cipolla, and ICRC staff in an evening gathering in Cotabato City.ICRC/Baipulo Sultan
Mr Carbonnier gives a fist bump to one of the detainees at the Quezon City Jail. The jail is one of the more overcrowded places of detention in the Philippines.ICRC/Basilio Sepe
Mr Carbonnier in a dialogue with religious and academic leaders, as part of ICRC’s efforts to promote humanitarian principles and IHL commonalities with various religions.ICRC/Samuel Genita Jr.
Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. From left: ICRC head of Philippine delegation Boris Michel, Ms Cipolla, Sec. Remulla, Mr Carbonnier, and Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres.ICRC/Samuel Genita Jr.
Mr Carbonnier with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Amb. Jesus “Gary” DomingoICRC/Colleen Abesamis
Philippine Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga (left) in a meeting with the ICRC leadershipICRC/Samuel Genita Jr.
Mr Carbonnier and Mr Michel with Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.ICRC/Samuel Genita Jr.
Mr Carbonnier meets the Philippine President’s Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at the Malacañang Palace.ICRC/Samuel Genita Jr.
Mr Michel, Mr Carbonnier, and Swiss ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen in a diplomatic reception hosted by the Swiss embassyICRC/Basilio Sepe
ICRC Vice President Gilles Carbonnier, joined by Asia-Pacific Regional Director Christine Cipolla, visited the Philippines for the first time from 11 to 19 November 2022, where they witnessed the long-lasting impact of urban warfare and engaged authorities in steps to reduce civilian harm.
Mr Carbonnier and Ms Cipolla visited the area most devastated by the 2017 armed conflict in Marawi City. In General Santos City, they witnessed the Philippine Red Cross' mobile COVID-19 vaccination efforts, which are supported by the ICRC. Mr Carbonnier and Ms Cipolla also had the opportunity to better understand the causes and consequences of massive overcrowding in Philippine detention facilities, seeing first-hand the situation in Quezon City Jail.
Throughout their visit, the ICRC leadership met with the national and regional authorities to discuss the organization's humanitarian priorities in the country.
