CAT/C/PHL/CO/2 Page 10 Children involved in armed conflict 24. The Committee appreciates the various legislative and other measures adopted by the State party, including the 2001 Comprehensive Program on Children Involved in Armed Conflict, the creation, in 2004, of an Inter-Agency Committee on Children Involved in Armed Conflict, the activities of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in this respect as well as the visit of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict in December 2008. Nonetheless, the Committee expresses serious concern about allegations of continued abduction and military recruitment of child soldiers by the non-State armed groups, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the New People’s Army and the Abu Sayyaf. (art. 16) The State party should take the necessary steps, in a comprehensive manner and to the extent possible, to prevent the abduction and military recruitment of children by armed groups that are distinct from the armed forces of the State. The State party should also take the necessary measures to facilitate the reintegration of former child soldiers into society. Domestic violence 25. The Committee takes note of various measures taken by the State party, including the enactment, in 2004, of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262) and the establishment of a significant number of Women and Children Desks in police stations all over the country and the Women and Children Protection Centre of the PNP. However, the Committee expresses its concern about the prevalence of violence against women and children, including domestic violence. It is further concerned about the lack of State-wide statistics on domestic violence and that sufficient statistical data on complaints, prosecutions and sentences in matters of domestic violence were not provided. (arts. 1, 2, 12 and 16) The State party should increase its efforts to prevent, combat and punish violence against women and children, including domestic violence. The Committee calls upon the State party to allocate sufficient financial resources to ensure the effective implementation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act. The State party is encouraged to participate directly in rehabilitation and legal assistance programmes and to conduct broader awareness campaigns for officials (judges, law officers, law enforcement agents and welfare workers) who are in direct contact with the victims. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts in respect of research and data collection on the extent of domestic violence. Furthermore, the State party is encouraged to promptly enact the Magna Carta of Women (House Bill 4273) which is the national translation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Trafficking 26. While noting the significant efforts of the State party, including the recent convictions of traffickers, the adoption, in 2003, of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) with the creation of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to coordinate and monitor its implementation as well as the “We are not for sale: Victims of Human Trafficking Speak Up Project”, the Committee is concerned that the Philippines continues to be a source, transit and