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THE Armed Forces of the Philippines will be sending at least 320
peacekeepers in West Africa and Haiti starting next month, as part
of the country’s commitment to the United Nations.
In a simple send off ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo
Thursday, Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told the
peacekeepers to be prepared and bring honor to the military and the
country during their six months stay in their assigned places.
Of the 320, 165 peacekeepers will be sent to
Liberia in West Africa while the rest will be going to Haiti.
The military’s public information chief, Lt.
Col. Ernesto Torres, said troops that will be sent to Liberia,
headed by Lt. Col. Danilo Pamonag, will be the first to leave on
August 1. The Haiti contingent, headed by Col. Raymundo Elefante,
will leave on the second week of August.
The latest set of peacekeepers will be the 10th
batch for Liberia and the eighth for Haiti.
During the send-off ceremony, Yano told the
troops that their next assignment will be in Central Mindanao, for
them to apply whatever skills and experience they will acquire
during their stay in the two countries.
“You, Filipino peacekeepers, are being sent
not only as soldiers but more importantly as emissaries of goodwill
and hope. Everyone of you embodies our nation’s noblest pledge to
advance the cause of peace, international understanding and
stability in the world,” he said.
-- Jefferson Antiporda
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