PHL sending fresh batch of peacekeepers to Liberia, Haiti

Close to 300 Filipino soldiers will be sent to Liberia and Haiti on Monday to serve as peacekeepers that will help safeguard the elections in the two troubled countries. Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban on Monday led the joint send-off ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo for the eight officers and 107 enlisted personnel bound for Liberia, and 12 officers and 143 enlisted personnel bound for Haiti. “As such, your presence in these countries is deemed critical, for the stability and progress of those nations rest heavily on the credibility of their elections and the orderliness of their transfer of political power," Oban said. Led by Col. Jorge Lomboy, the 15th batch of peacekeepers to Liberia is due to leave the country next month, while the 13th peacekeeping force to Haiti under Col. Ariel Caculitan will depart on March 17. They two peacekeeping forces will replace similar number of peacekeepers who are due to finish their six-month tour of duty. The peacekeeping operations are being conducted by the military under the auspices of the United Nations. In his speech, Oban said the deployment will come at a time when Liberia is making preparations for the holding of its elections on Oct. 11. Haiti, on the other hand, will hold its own election on March 20. “The good thing is that our experiences regarding these matters abound, especially in safeguarding the credibility and sanctity of the ballot box when we have exemplified in our very own elections last May 10, 2010," said Oban. The May 10, 2010 elections were the first nationwide automated elections in the Philippines. “I am certain that you are all properly equipped with experiences and competencies in dealing with the security challenges that you will encounter in your deployment to Haiti and Liberia," Oban told the troops. Oban, who assumed the top military post last March 8, urged the peacekeepers to match the “zeal and fervor" of their predecessors in the accomplishment of their missions in the two countries. “Your contingents are welcome addition to the previous batches of Filipino peacekeepers who have performed their duties with exemplary dedication and consistency as international envoys of peace. This is also the same responsibility that you will perform when you are deployed in those challenging parts of the world," he said. He also told the soldiers to make the most out of their deployment abroad by enriching their experiences and honing their skills “so that on your homecoming, you can share and use these knowledge in proving the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in better serving our beloved country." – KBK, GMA News