Pinoy peacekeepers in Liberia, Haiti welcomed by AFP leadership

MANILA, Philippines – Returning Filipino troops who became part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions to Haiti and Liberia were welcomed yesterday by military leaders.

In a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday morning, elements of the 8th Philippine Contingent to Liberia (8PCL) and the 6th Philippine Contingent to Haiti, composed of 332 officers and personnel, were given UN Awards by Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

The returning troops were replaced by another group of Filipino peacekeeping contingents, which will also serve for six months in the two troubled nations.

The UN Mission in Liberia was established by UN  Security Council Resolution 1509 on Sept. 19, 2003.

Under the resolution, the Philippine government agreed to the request of the UN to contribute personnel, services and equipment in support of its peacekeeping efforts.

Eight batches of 165 from the AFP have since been deployed in Liberia.

On the other hand, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti was established on April 30, 2004.

Six batches of AFP’s peacekeeping contingents have been sent to Haiti to help rebuild the war-torn country.

“The troop deployments in Haiti and Liberia are being undertaken attuned to the unwavering commitment of the AFP to be of service in promoting lasting peace and stability not only in the Philippines but in other nations as well,” said AFP public information officer, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.  –Jaime Laude