The case at hand is a classic example of child’s right violation which is prevalent in poor or thriving rural or urban families.

This is
a clear encroachment to the basic right of Myla, a 16 year old girl to choose the kind of life which she thinks is better for her. Every child
has the right to express his or her opinion openly on all matters affecting his or her life, which, on this case, was violated by her parents.
The child should not be the target of the coercion of an adult, who would seek to manipulate him or her, to control them in their opinion,
or who would prohibit them from expressing themselves freely.

There are no specific laws on child or forced marriage in the Philippines. It is usually occurs in poor communities where parents
of children could hardly find ways and means to support their children. Nevertheless, the said dire situation cannot be used as reason to
force Myla to marry the foreigner. The child development worker or service provider could address the problems of the child by simply
asking legal support from the higher authority. In addition, education as vital to a child living a full life and achieving its potential has
also been violated because the child believes that education is a springboard to employment that will provide better income for her and
her family. Children learn skills through schooling, which open up jobs and social opportunities for them. Growing child has a human
right to attend school.

It is uncertain whether women and girls facing forced marriages would have access to adequate protection in the Philippines.
While there are laws to protect women and children from abuse, the rates of violence against women and girls in the Philippines remain
high, largely due to enhanced patriarchal attitudes and imbalanced family power relations. The United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child could be a basis for protecting Myla. We cannot say that our country does not have sufficient legal remedy to help
the child from being force to marry; however, women may have difficulty accessing legal protections through local authorities or the
judicial system, particularly in smaller town or rural areas. I believe that our legal system still operates favorable to children which could
be tapped by social worker who keep the child under her custody. All children are entitled to the protection. They have the right to
survive, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive appropriate care and to grow up in a protective environment..