AFP honors newly-returned 19th PHL Contingent to Haiti

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 15): AFP honors newly-returned 19th PHL Contingent to Haiti

For its year-long sterling peacekeeping service for the United Nations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored the newly-returned 19th Philippine Contingent to Haiti (PCH) on Friday.

The 135-strong unit, which was commanded by Col. Vincent B. Incognito, was given their United Nations Service Medals at the GHQ Canopy Area, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The PCH officers and enlisted personnel were formally welcomed by AFP chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Edgar R. Fallorina, Armed Forces deputy chief-of-staff for operations Major Gen. Carlito G. Galvez and AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center chief Col. Eugenio V. Hernandez.

“As peacekeepers deployed to one of the most politically unstable environments in the world, critical responsibilities were bestowed upon you. And alongside those duties are the challenges of working in a foreign land, thousand miles away from home and your loved ones," Visaya said.

The AFP deployed its first contingents to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in 2004 following its establishment through the Security Council Resolution No. 1542.

MINUSTAH was established to maintain a secure and stable environment, assist in strengthening Haiti’s government institutions, and promote and protect human rights after the series of armed conflicts that shook the country under the Aristide administration.

The 19th PCH was organized and selected based on the manning requirements specified in the agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the United Nations.

Composed of 135 members -- 11 officers and 124 enlisted personnel -- the contingent provided administrative and security operations through clerical services, transport services, VIP security, and perimeter defense.

The all Air Force contingent arrived in the country last July 11 and immediately underwent a medical checkup at the AFP Medical Center.

They were replaced by the all-Army 20th PCH which left the country last July 8.

“As your eyes have been opened with the problems occurring outside the territory we are primarily tasked to protect, I am certain that you have gained the motivation to serve more because you now have more to offer to our country and to the Filipino people,” the AFP chief added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=904364