MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has adopted the “zero-tolerance” policy against sexual abuse and other misconduct by Filipino peacekeepers deployed around the world in United Nations (UN) mission areas.
Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, informed last Friday the UN Security Council of the Philippines’ “zero-tolerance” policy strictly observed by Filipino soldiers and police officers acting as peacekeepers, particularly across Asia and Africa.
Davide addressed the Security Council during an open debate on “Women and Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Situations of Conflict” convened by the United States last Thursday.
The Philippines has formally given its commitment to the UN to deploy an additional 100 police officers to support UN efforts in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.
The Philippine Mission to the United Nations reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Philippines is boosting its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
The Mission said it has formally informed the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations of Manila’s intention to contribute 100 more officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to support the UN African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
Davide said the deployment of the latest batch of Filipino peacekeepers in Darfur underscores the Philippine government’s commitment to help find a solution to the humanitarian crisis there.
He added that the Philippine participation in UNAMID, touted to be the biggest UN peacekeeping operation assembled by the UN, would bolster the standing of the Philippines as one of the largest providers of police officers to UN peacekeeping operations.
As of April, UN statistics showed that PNP officers account for 274 of the 627 Filipino peacekeepers deployed in various UN mission areas abroad. – Pia Lee-Brago