Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Peacekeeping Operations Center (AFPPKOC) and the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-Philippines) inaugurated the Central Training Complex (CTC); and the Mess Hall of the Peacekeepers in a meaningful hand-over ceremony with Vice Admiral Gaudencio C. Collado, the Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines as the guest of honor and speaker represented by Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3 at Camp O’Donnell, Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac at 9:00 a.m., December 12, 2019.
The said training facilities were funded by the United States government through the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) and JUSMAG-Philippines in support to the Center as the AFP’s training institution for peacekeeping operations. AFPPKOC trains AFP units and personnel for United Nations deployment.
The CTC is named as Bulwagang Romulo in honor of Hon. Carlos P. Romulo who was the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1949. It has an auditorium, classrooms, driving simulation room, language laboratory, conference rooms, offices, and VIP lounge while the Mess Hall of the Peacekeepers is a dining facility that can accommodate up to 400 students.
JUSMAG-Philippines Chief and Senior Defense Official Col. Stephen Ma, United States Army handed-over the symbolic key to Maj. Gen. Andres Centino.
Maj. Gen. Centino said that the training facilities is expected to help promote the accessibility, sufficiency and professionalism of training of future peacekeepers of the AFP. He congratulated the team AFPPKOC under Col. Oriel L. Pangcog for his outstanding leadership which allowed the Center to implement projects.
Col. Ma, said that the US government is proud to assist the AFP in developing AFPPKOC as it fulfills its pledges to the United Nations (UN). “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the AFP to help achieve its vision of creating a training center capable of producing professional and highly competent peacekeepers to respond to the needs around the world” Col. Ma said
Col. Pangcog warmly welcomed staff and guests from GHQ; some Army and Air Force unit commanders; PNP counterparts and local officials.
“Having these world-class training facilities boost high training capability of this Center. We can now host more international UN-related courses. This is in line with AFPPKOC’s vision to be a regional center of excellence specializing in UN Military Observers’ Course, Staff Officers Course and other UN-related trainings. We are grateful to GPOI and JUSMAG for continuously helping us align with the international training standards” Col. Pangcog said
Col Pangcog, thanked GPOI and JUSMAG for the outstanding support provided to the Center. In his remarks, he emphasized the significance of training facilities for better learning of students and ensure improved performance.
AFPPKOC is the AFP’s premier training institution for peacekeeping operations in support to the AFP’s international commitments. Currently, this Center is processing the training needs for deployment of one (1) Force Headquarters Service Unit; one (1) Aero-Medical Team; Ninety (90) Military Observers/ Peacekeeping Force Staff Officers (60 male and 30 females) and one (1) Demining unit.
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