12 Filipino security forces honored by UN

MANILA, Philippines - Amid concerns about the safety of Filipino peacekeeping teams in other countries, 12 uniformed personnel were honored Wednesday during the celebration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers.

Seven soldiers and five policemen were feted for their outstanding performance as members of Philippine contingents sent to Haiti, East Timor, Golan Heights, South Sudan, Liberia and Haiti.

The 12 awardees received plaques of meritorious recognition for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions.

The awardees from the military were Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, Col. Abraham Casis, Col. Cornelio Valencia Jr., Lt. Col. Eugenio Boquio, Lt. Cmdr. Willester Robles, Maj. Ann Marie Gerodiaz and Senior Master Sgt. Hernani Montero.

The policemen who were recognized for their peacekeeping efforts were Senior Supt. Antonio Viernes, Supt. Nestor Tiempo, Supt. Arvin Molina, SPO2 Susan Lagmay and SPO3 Christopher Reaño.

“We learned a lot during our tour of duty. We learned to appreciate human rights, which is very important. We also realized the importance of communication with other countries and respect for different cultures,” said Reaño, who was deployed to Liberia in 2011.

Reaño said his task as a regional commander enabled him to appreciate more his job as a policeman.

“No less than the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations has observed the noteworthy contributions of the Philippines in the success of our international peacekeeping endeavors,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in a speech.

“We are confident in our expectation that all Filipino peacekeepers shall carry out their duties and responsibilities bearing in mind the core values of professionalism, integrity, and service,” he added.

Deployment to continue

Meanwhile, the Defense department is still studying a recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs to pullout the Filipino peacekeepers from Golan Heights.

Defense department spokesman Peter Galvez said the deployment of peacekeepers would continue for now as it forms part of the country’s commitment to the UN.

"We help in ensuing peace in other countries where the UN requests our presence. However, our own troops have to be protected. We have to ensure their security,” Galvez said.

“We’ll see what assessment we will come out with and we will go from there,” he added.

The DFA recommended the pullout of peacekeepers in Golan Heights after four Filipino soldiers were abducted by Syrian rebels near Al Jamlah in the ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel last May 7. The four were released by their abductors five days later.

Last March, 21 Filipino peacekeepers were also seized in the same area by Syrian rebels but were eventually freed after some negotiations. – Alexis Romero