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Some 318 soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
will be deployed on a peacekeeping mission in the strife-torn
regions of Haiti and Liberia.
In a simple send-off ceremonies in AFP
headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces chief General
Hermogenes Esperon Jr. egged the soldiers to “always manifest the
highest standards of professionalism for whatever you do in these
foreign lands will greatly reflect on the AFP and the entire
Filipino nation.”
Of the total number, 164 will be bound for
Liberia.
The first batch has already left on January 23,
and the second on February 6.
Some 154 soldiers will leave on January 30,
bound for Haiti.
Esperon said there is “factional fighting”
and “some form of anarchy” in Haiti.
In Liberia, Esperon said that the situation is
starting to improve and that the efforts there are on the
“reconstruction and rebuilding phase” already.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is proud
that we have once again shown our firm resolve to contribute in
preserving global peace and security by sending the 9th Philippine
contingent to Liberia, and the 7th Philippine contingent to
Haiti,” he said.
In giving tribute to the departing soldiers, the
Philippine military chief said they were chosen because of the Armed
Forces’ trust and confidence in their capabilities.
“On your shoulders rest our nation’s high
expectations that not only you will perform your duties as the
so-called blue helmets under the command of the United Nations, but
most importantly as Filipino ambassadors of goodwill who will extend
friendship and commitment to peace on behalf of a grateful Filipino
people,” Esperon said.
Besides Haiti and Liberia, the military also has
peacekeepers in East Timor, the Ivory Coast and Sudan.
-- Xinhua
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