24 October 2003 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople and UN Resident Coordinator for the Philippines Deborah Landey ceremonially presented a set of 20 UN Medals for Special Services to the last batch of AFP officers who served with the UN Guards Contingent in Iraq (UNGCI) during the reception for the 58th Anniversary of the UN held in Intramuros, Manila.

The medals were awarded in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the Philippines to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKOs) through the AFP troops who served with UNGCI from 1991 to 2003, providing security and assistance to UN humanitarian operations in Northern Iraq.

In line with this, Secretary Ople announced that the AFP is presently preparing to send 145 servicemen to join the latest UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) by 30 October.  The UN Security Council (UNSC) invited the
Philippines to participate in UNMIL last August and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally announced the Philippines’ participation during her address to the UN General Assembly last month.

“This commitment of support to UNMIL demonstrates the Philippines’ commitment to global peace and security, as well as support for Africa.  This is undoubtedly a factor in the country’s landslide victory in the vote for the UNSC seat, particularly in securing votes from African member-states,” the Secretary said.

The Philippines has a long history of PKO involvement dating back to the 1950s, having also participated in operations in Korea, the Congo, Haiti, and Cambodia.  Currently, AFP and PNP personnel are deployed in PKOs in East Timor and Kosovo.

Joining PKOs and serving with other national military forces in a UN environment helps further enhance the capabilities and professionalism of the Armed Forces.  The peacekeeping, as opposed to combative nature of the PKOs will help in training the AFP to manage cease-fires and other aspects of dealing with our own peace processes with the MILF and other dissident groups.

Aside from the prestige of being part of the “Blue Berets,” which strengthens the AFP’s ties with other military forces, the military is also compensated for the use of its equipment, providing additional funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the Armed Forces.  END.