Sunday, October 16, 2016

Filipino peacekeepers most respected in the world for gallantry

From Update.Ph (Oct 17): Filipino peacekeepers most respected in the world for gallantry

US PACOM photo

The Philippines is one of the most respected providers of peacekeepers in the world, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office Col. Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.

“The Philippines is looked up to with much respect. Not only because it had been a primary source of peacekeepers not only in the region but also in the world. It is also because Filipino peacekeepers have distinguished themselves in that field, noting their gallant stand against Syrian rebels in Golan Heights in August 2014,” he added.

Arevalo was referring to members of the 7th Philippine Contingent at the Golan Heights (PCGH)who figured in tense stand-off with Al-Qaeda-affiliated Syrian rebels after the insurgents attempted to take the Filipino-occupied Positions 68 and 69 in the Syrian side of Golan Heights in August 2014.

The Filipinos exhibited their bravery and commitment when they stood their ground even after the rebels succeeded in taking over the positions held by Fijian peacekeepers, taking 45 Fiji nationals as hostages.

Members of the 7th PCGH, with the help of other United Nations peacekeepers, eventually repositioned themselves, without casualties, to their headquarters in Camp Faouar, Syria taking with them all their equipment and leaving nothing behind for the frustrated Syrian rebels.

“The AFP has been a significant force contributor in the different UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. This meeting has been an important avenue in sharing our years of experience as a peacekeeping force and in promoting an ASEAN region highly capable and effective in UN peacekeeping missions,” AFP chief-of-staff General Ricardo R. Visaya said.

As this develops, the three-day 4th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Peacekeeping Center Network (APCN) meeting came to a close last Oct. 14 with a firmer resolve to advance a linkage of stronger, more cohesive ASEAN peacekeepers.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/filipino-peacekeepers-most-respected-in-the-world-for-gallantry/10405

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