SOME 320 military personnel who will be leaving shortly to fulfill peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Haiti in accordance with the country's commitment to the United Nations for "global action for peace and stability" were given an early send-off yesterday by Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano.

"Every peacekeeping contingent we send is the realization of our country's strong commitment to the promotion and preservation of international peace as enshrined in the United Nations charter," Yano told the peacekeepers gathered at the AFP grandstand.

One hundred sixty-five of the soldiers will be deployed to Libya and the rest to Haiti, replacing the members of the contingents currently in the two countries and about to complete their six-month tenure. The Liberia group is departing Manila on Aug. 1 while the Haiti peacekeepers are leaving on Aug. 11.

"You, Filipino peacekeepers, are being sent not only as soldiers but more importantly as emissaries of goodwill and hope. Every one of you embodies our nation's noblest pledge to advance the cause of peace, international understanding and stability in the world," said Yano. "That is why as we see you off to start your duties in these deployments, we give you our sincerest expression of pride for your future contributions to the cause of internal peace."

Yano said the soldiers are expected "not only to maintain law and order throughout their respective areas of responsibility" but to "assist in establishing an effective administrative system of governance, contribute in the development of civil and social services, and work in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders for the delivery of humanitarian aid and rehabilitation."

The AFP chief said he is confident the group has the "competence and determination to succeed as the previous contingents did."