One would think akin to the line of a famous ancient Rome orator-Cicero that the laws are silent

amidst the clash of arms but to the contrary the law is needed more in cases of conflicts or in war and based on the International Commission of the Red Cross, one of the basic rules governing armed conflicts is the Soldiers Rule 1. Be disciplined soldier. Disobedience of the laws of war dishonors your army and yourself and causes unnecessary suffering; far from weakening the enemys to fight, it often strengthens it.

A soldier should be able to determine the military necessity which is enshrined in the preamble to the 1868 St Petersburg Declaration, which states that the only legitimate object which States should endeavour to accomplish during war is to weaken the military forces of the enemy and that for this purpose it is sufficient to disable the greatest possible number of men. Now, the women are included. Thus, to be able to make your opponent surrender, one can employ only reasonable force necessary, lawful and justified. But those activities which are prima facie unnecessary are prohibited so planning and leadership really count on this area. 2. Fight only enemy combatants and attack only military objectives.

Clear distinction between a combatant and a civilian is very important in cases of war or conflict. Combatants in action can be attacked unless they are out of action or hors de combat.

Civilians are always protected from any attack but lose that protection when they take a direct part in hostilities

Also, military objectives which can be attacked and civilian objects which must be respected must always be determined.

Good planning and clear rules of engagement are required to stay within

the law, and both of those are, after all, only a product of good training and professionalism in any military force. It also makes good sense not to waste your own lives, time and ammunition in disproportionate operations. 3. Destroy no more than your missions requires. 4. Do not fight enemies who are out of combat [hors de combat] or surrender. Disarm them and hand them over to your superior.

In any armed conflict, the right of the parties involved to choose methods and means of warfare is not unlimited, i.e. IHL limits how weapons and military tactics may be used.

Weapons and tactics that are of a nature to cause unnecessary suffering or superfluous injury are prohibited. Its purpose is to prohibit weapons which cause more suffering or injury than is necessary to put enemy combatants out of action. It applies, for example, to weapons designed to cause injuries that are impossible to treat or that result in a cruel and lingering death. It does not prohibit weapons such as fragmentation weapons or armour-piercing rounds which, even when properly used, may have those unintended consequences as a result of their use rather than their design. 5. Collect and care for the wounded and sick, be they friend or foe. 6. Treat all civilians and all enemies in your power with humanity. 7. Prisoners of war must be treated humanely and are bound to give only information about their identity. No physical or mental torture of prisoners of war is permitted.

All people must be treated humanely and without discrimination based on sex, nationality, race, religion or political beliefs. Those who are out of action (hors de combat), such as surrendering combatants, air crew parachuting from downed aircraft, the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, prisoners of war and other captives and detainees, must be identified as such and treated humanely. 8. Do not take hostages. 9. Abstain from all acts of vengeance.

Good faith between opponents is a customary principle of warfare. The military should show good faith in their interpretation of the law of armed conflict. Good faith must also be observed in negotiations between opponents and with humanitarian organizations
10. Respect all persons objects bearing the emblem of the red cross, red crescent,

red lion and sun, the white flag of truce or emblems designating cultural property. 11. Respect other peoples property. Looting is prohibited.
12. Endeavor to prevent any breach of the above rules. Report any violation to your

superior. Any breach of the law of is punishable.

In a News Release dated August 13, 2012, the International Committee of the Red Cross (Manila) presented the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a poster depicting the behavior soldiers should adopt to comply with international humanitarian law. The initiative served as a constant reminder to the soldiers of the basic rules of international humanitarian law to respect civilians and detainees, and to care for the wounded and the sick.

Sources: Introduction to Public International Law by Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. 2009 Edition http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/news-release/2012/philippines-news2012-08-10.htm http://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/law1_final.pdf