The State, through its concerned agencies, in coordination with other stakeholders shall have the following duties: (a) Develop a child-specific release program. This release program should not make as a requirement the surrender of arms by CIAC; (b) Monitor and document the status of CIAC who undergo either a formal or informal release process; (c) Facilitate data and information sharing between government and nongovernment organizations to be informed and updated of the status of released CIAC and to assess and address their needs, with due regard to the right to privacy of CIAC, their security and safety, and considering the confidentiality of records; (d) Mobilize and strengthen networks for referrals; (e) Provide free legal assistance to released CIAC ensuring that the legal needs of the former CIAC will be addressed, such as the prohibition or stoppage of filing charges or dismissal of cases against CIAC as criminal or political offenders irrespective of their association with any-armed group or government force; and (f) Ensure the formal release of CIAC through various approaches such as advocacy of concerned groups, through the Government Peace Negotiating Panel (GPNP), and others: Provided, That in any release action, the best interest of the child shall be observed. Section 24. Rescued, Taken into Custody, or Surrendered Children Involved in Armed Conflict (CIAC). - Where the CIAC have been rescued, taken into custody, or surrendered, they shall at all times be treated in a child-friendly and sensitive manner. The State, at all times, shall consider the safety and security of the CIAC, and ensure that they are not subjected to tactical interrogation or any similar forms of investigation, especially by the police and military. The following procedures shall apply without prejudice to the application of other existing laws that will uphold the best interests of the child: (a) The identity of rescued CIAC shall be protected. Any identifying information regarding them shall remain confidential; (b) Rescued CIAC shall not be used for any political propaganda nor be unnecessarily exposed to media in violation of child rights to privacy, security and confidentiality of their cases; (c) Upon the rescue or surrender of the CIAC, government agencies, in particular, the AFP, the PNP, the Department of National Defense (DND), the local government units (LGUs), other concerned government agencies or nongovernment organizations in possession of the CIAC shall report immediately within twenty-four (24) hours the incident to the LSWDO, Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC); (d) The LSWDO or LCPC shall coordinate with the agency or nongovernment organization in possession of CIAC for the handover of custody of the children to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);