Children in detention (19) While appreciating the State party’s clarification of measures undertaken to reduce the number of children in detention, including the enactment of the 2006 Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (RA 9344), a variety of social welfare services provided for children in conflict with the law and the release of 565 minors in 2008, the Committee is concerned that a significant number of children remain in detention and at reports of a de facto practice of not separating children from adults in detention facilities throughout the country, despite the requirement included in the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act demanding such separation (arts. 11 and 16). The State party should further reduce the number of children in detention and ensure that persons below 18 years of age are not detained with adults; that alternative measures to deprivation of liberty, such as probation, community service or suspended sentences are available; that professionals in the area of recovery and social reintegration of children are properly trained; and that deprivation of liberty is used only as a measure of last resort, for the shortest possible time and in appropriate conditions. Training (20) The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the State party on the inclusion of human rights components in the training programmes and sessions for all military and law enforcement units of the Government, in close cooperation with the CHRP. However, the Committee is concerned at the lack of information on monitoring and evaluation of the impact of these training programmes in reducing incidents of torture and ill-treatment (art. 10). The State party should further develop and strengthen educational programmes to ensure that all officials, including law enforcement officials and prison staff are fully aware of the provisions of the Convention, that reported breaches will not be tolerated and will be investigated, and that offenders will be prosecuted. All relevant personnel should receive specific training on how to identify signs of torture and ill-treatment, and such training should also include the use of the Istanbul Protocol which should be provided to physicians and translated into the Filipino and other languages, as appropriate, and utilized effectively. Furthermore, the State party should assess the effectiveness and impact of such training/educational programmes. Witness protection (21) While noting the information provided by the State party, including the draft legislation to strengthen the Witness Protection Programme (WPP) and recent activities of the WPP, the Committee expresses its concern at reports that the Programme is not sufficiently implemented, that intimidation of witnesses deters them from coming forward to use the program and that detainees who suffer ill-treatment are often coerced by the police to sign waivers or statements to the contrary. The Committee is concerned at the statement by the delegation that “except in a few highly urbanized cities conditions in Philippine courts hardly inspire confidence in the witnesses that they are well protected if they participate in the trial” (art. 13). The State party should, as a matter of priority, take the necessary measures to strengthen the WPP under the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act (RA 6981) to guarantee the safety of witnesses to torture incidents and other human rights violations. The State party must give high priority to the funding and effectiveness of this programme. Redress, including compensation and rehabilitation (22) The Committee welcomes the creation of a Board of Claims under the Department of Justice for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes and for Other Purposes. Nonetheless, the information submitted to the Committee regarding the number of victims of torture and ill-treatment who may have received compensation and the amounts awarded in such cases is insufficient, and the Committee is concerned at reports of inadequate compensation and arbitrary refusals and delays concerning compensation. The Committee regrets the lack of information on treatment and social rehabilitation services and other forms of assistance, 120