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
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