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Over 100 Filipino soldiers flew to Haiti on Monday to be part of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the strife-torn Caribbean nation.
The 157 peacekeepers, composed of Navy and Marine personnel, left the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard a UN-chartered plane following a send-off ceremony led by Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan.
The new batch, who will replace the 156 Filipino troops stationed there since October last year, will provide perimeter security to the force headquarters of the multi-national UN Mission to Haiti, according to Navy public affairs officer Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo.
Aside from perimeter security, the Filipino troops are also tasked to provide administrative and logistics clerical services, as well as provide VIP security to personalities identified by the force headquarters.
Difficult assignment
In an ambush interview after the send-off ceremony, Catapang said he expects the contingent members to maintain the standards of their being Filipino peacekeepers.
They have to bring honor and pride for our country,” he said. “As I said, this assignment is difficult.
Catapang said he believes the troops “are physically, psychologically and emotionally prepared for this assignment.”
The government has been sending peacekeepers to Haiti since 2004. In 2010, the peacekeepers helped in responding to the effects of a strong earthquake that left more than 200,000 people dead.
The Philippine government is withdrawing its peacekeeping contingents in Golan Heights due to escalating conflict between Syrian government and rebel forces, and in Liberia due to the threat of the Ebola virus.
The 157 peacekeepers, composed of Navy and Marine personnel, left the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard a UN-chartered plane following a send-off ceremony led by Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan.
The new batch, who will replace the 156 Filipino troops stationed there since October last year, will provide perimeter security to the force headquarters of the multi-national UN Mission to Haiti, according to Navy public affairs officer Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo.
Aside from perimeter security, the Filipino troops are also tasked to provide administrative and logistics clerical services, as well as provide VIP security to personalities identified by the force headquarters.
Difficult assignment
In an ambush interview after the send-off ceremony, Catapang said he expects the contingent members to maintain the standards of their being Filipino peacekeepers.
They have to bring honor and pride for our country,” he said. “As I said, this assignment is difficult.
Catapang said he believes the troops “are physically, psychologically and emotionally prepared for this assignment.”
The government has been sending peacekeepers to Haiti since 2004. In 2010, the peacekeepers helped in responding to the effects of a strong earthquake that left more than 200,000 people dead.
The Philippine government is withdrawing its peacekeeping contingents in Golan Heights due to escalating conflict between Syrian government and rebel forces, and in Liberia due to the threat of the Ebola virus.
