The University of the Philippines Diliman triumphed over 10 other law schools to claim the championship in the 2025 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), held from December 2 to December 4, 2025. This year’s competition marks the 20th edition of the annual contest, organized by the Philippine Red Cross in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Philippine Judicial Academy, UP Diliman College of Law, and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
UP Diliman was represented by Kathryn Renee Cutler, Mikayla Anrea Guerriva and Arvie Joyce Cayabyab, who will go on to represent the Philippines in the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Competition— an inter-university competition on IHL for law schools in the Asia-Pacific region (Asia, Australia, and New Zealand)—to be held in Hong Kong in March 2026.
“Filipinos remain quiet, but by participating here, you practice your citizenship. I salute and admire you because of your participation. By being here today, you are taking a big step: assertion. Assert your principles and values. People like you are advocates for change,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon.
“We currently have limited interest in IHL, but we must assert to our government and schools our commitment to stand up against every violation of IHL. I invite all of you to commit yourselves to joining the PRC. Help your communities, engage your localities, and work with the media to make IHL accessible and interesting. To all participants: you are good leaders and you stepped up—but the real assertion is in the way you live your life.” the chairman added.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang underscored the significance of the competition in developing future legal leaders. “IHL saves lives, protects civilians, safeguards the wounded, and gives the Red Cross the space to do its work in the hardest moments of every crisis,” she said. “Since its inception, the National Moot Court Competition has become one of PRC’s flagship academic initiatives, aiming to instill respect for IHL and foster legal awareness among the country’s future leaders.”
The Best Mooter Award was conferred upon Kathryn Renee Cutler of the University of the Philippines Diliman, recognized as the top-performing oralist. Meanwhile, Batangas State University – The National Engineering University secured the 1st Runner-Up position. Team No. 9, Cagayan State University – College of Law, emerged as the Champion for the Special Awards, earning distinction for their exceptional performance in the competition’s Role Play activities.
Among the distinguished panel of judges for this year’s final round were Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy and Retired Associate Justice Edgar Delos Santos, PRC Secretary and PRC IHL Committee Chairperson Atty. Rodolfo Reyes, ICRC Philippines Head of Legal Department Ioanna Voudouri, and Regional Trial Court Retired Judge Soliman M. Santos Jr.
As the competition concludes, the Philippine Red Cross congratulates all participants and commends their dedication to promoting awareness of international humanitarian law in the academe.
