A/HRC/8/52 page 164 475. Sri Lanka commended the Philippines on the open, serious and comprehensive approach followed throughout the review of the Philippines. The number of recommendations supported by the Philippines and the voluntary commitments bear testimony to its commitment in the field of human rights, despite its complex challenges. Sri Lanka commended the Philippines on the commitment, initiatives and efforts made to combat trafficking at the national level and its leading role at the international level on that issue. Sri Lanka noted that the Philippines had identified a roadmap and expectations for international cooperation, and that there was a common responsibility to create a conducive and cooperative atmosphere to fulfil its needs upon request. Further, it was the Council’s common responsibility to create a collaborative atmosphere to help the country to meet its goals, to implement its roadmap and fulfil its expectations and needs, through international cooperation with a view to enhancing the protection of human rights. 476. Thailand congratulated the Philippines on the additional responses to the recommendations it provided to the Council, and shared the observations made by several States on the positive steps taken by the Philippines in considering the implementation of those recommendations to advance the cause of human rights. This bore testimony to the commitment of the Philippines to constructively cooperating with the Council and the universal periodic review. The Government should be supported and encouraged by the international community and interested stakeholders to help advance the promotion and protection of human rights of all people in the country. It welcomed the announcement by the Philippines of its voluntary commitments and pledges to the cause of human rights. Thailand was confident that the Philippines would continue to engage with the Council and interested stakeholders, with the will to increase dialogue and cooperation with international and regional mechanisms and with civil society in order to ensure that the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all would be promoted, protected and respected in the Philippines. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 477. The Commission on the Human Rights of the Philippines welcomed the Government’s commitment to accord the highest priority to the promotion and protection of human rights. It requested the Government to nurture an independent Commission by acting on the Presidential veto message on the annual appropriations limiting the use of their savings, filling the posts of three commissioners, and certifying the proposed Charter of the Commission. The Commission on the Human Rights of the Philippines asked for support for the Barangay Human Rights Action Centres and for a joint project with the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and that the civil society’s representation for a strengthened Presidential Human Rights Committee be restored. It looked forward to the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the ASEAN Charter and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It encouraged the Government to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to actively participate in the adoption of an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Commission would actively engage with treaty bodies and asked the Philippines to consider extending standing invitations to special procedures. The Commission on the Human Rights of the Philippines noted that it would track cases of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. It would engage with State agencies to reiterate a human rights based legislative agenda; monitor judicial decisions that impact on human rights,