ANOTHER batch of 318 military officers and enlisted men are
due to leave in the coming weeks for strife-torn Haiti and Liberia to replace
the same number of Filipino peacekeepers who have completed their six-month tour
of duty in the said countries.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said the
peacekeeping contingents are part of the country’s contribution to the promotion
of global peace and security. He advised the members to "always manifest the
highest standards of professionalism, for whatever you do in these foreign lands
will greatly reflect on the AFP and the entire Filipino nation."
Of the 318, 164 will leave for Liberia today and on Feb. 6
while the rest will depart for Haiti on Jan. 30.
The troops going to Liberia, led by Col. Narciso Alamag, is
the 9th batch of peacekeepers being sent there by the AFP. Those bound for
Haiti, led by Col. Rodrigo Diapana, is the 7th batch to the area.
The enlisted personnel would be receiving an allowance three
times bigger than their base pay from the United Nations which sanctions the
deployment. The officers’ allowance will be two-and-a-half times larger than
their base pay here.
Esperon said there is still "factional fighting" and "some
form of anarchy" in Haiti. In Liberia, he said the situation is starting to
improve and current efforts are focused on the "reconstruction and rebuilding
phase" already.
In yesterday’s sendoff, Esperon told the soldiers that they
were chosen for the peacekeeping mission not only because the AFP has confidence
in their capability and training but also because of their "character and
capacity to build bridges and establish rapport" with the people of Liberia and
Haiti.
"On your shoulders rest our nation’s high expectations that
not only you will perform your duties as the so-called blue helmets under the
command of the United Nations but most importantly as Filipino ambassadors of
goodwill who will extend friendship and commitment to peace on behalf of a
grateful Filipino people," said Esperon.
The AFP also has peacekeepers in East Timor, Ivory Coast and Sudan. –
Victor Reyes
