Section 6. Children as Zones of Peace. - Children are hereby declared as Zones of Peace. As such, they shall be treated in accordance with the policies stipulated under Article X, Section 22 of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act". Treatment of children as Zones of Peace shall extend beyond territorial or geographical boundaries and shall focus on the person of the child whose rights shall be promoted and protected at all times, especially in situations of armed conflict or violence. The State and all sectors concerned shall have the responsibility to resolve armed conflict in order to promote the goal of children as Zones of Peace. As such, the community, governmental authority and, if appropriate, religious leadership shall preserve the peaceful integrity of children, exemplify mutual respect and nonviolent behavior in the presence of children, and share their resources to further peace and cooperation. Section 7. Rights of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict. - Children in situations of armed conflict shall have the following rights: (a) The right to life, survival and development; (b) The right of special respect and protection against any form of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violation, especially in the context of armed conflict; (c) The right to be treated as victims. They shall be treated in accordance with this Act and other applicable laws, consistent with the State obligations under international lav/, within the framework of restorative justice, social rehabilitation and promotion of their protection; (d) The right to be accorded with special respect and to be protected from any form of direct or indiscriminate attacks and acts of violence, especially protection from the grave child rights violations as enumerated in Section 9 of this Act; (e) The right to be protected from recruitment into government forces or armed groups and from participation in armed conflict including the right to be protected from torture or any cruel, inhuman or degrading practices that compel compliance or punish noncompliance with recruitment or participation in armed conflict; (f) The right to be protected from maiming, torture, abduction, rape and killing, especially extrajudicial killing; (g) The right to be immediately provided and have safe access to essential, adequate and culturally appropriate food and nutrition; basic shelter and housing; culturally appropriate clothing; water, sanitation and hygiene; basic health services including essential drugs, medicines and vaccines, minimum initial service package for reproductive health, and health professional evaluation and appropriate intervention; education, including religious and moral education; early childhood care and development programs, psychosocial support and social services. All services provided for them must be child-specific and gender sensitive and responsive; (h) The right to enjoy their freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, opinion and expression; to associate freely and participate equally in legitimate community affairs; to communicate in a language they understand even in situations of armed conflict and whether or not they have been internally displaced or are living in evacuation centers or settlements;