AFP honors 115 Pinoy UN peacekeepers to Liberia

The 115 members of the 15th Philippine Contingent to Liberia received their United Nations service medals in an awarding ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters on Wednesday.

The Philippine contingent helped maintain peace and security in the West African country of Liberia, especially during the country's national elections in October last year and the presidential election run-off the following month.

The 15th Philippine contingent is composed of eight officers and 107 personnel from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force.

It also has two female soldiers, a doctor, and a corps of engineers.

The contingent left the Philippines in March last year and arrived back into the country on January 28 this year, two days after the 16th Philippine contingent was deployed to Liberia.

The 16th contingent is composed of 115 Air Force soldiers, including eight officers.

Col. Jorge Lomboy III, commander of the 15th contingent, said their mission was to “maintain peace and security in Liberia, especially in the conduct of the elections.”

He also said that the deployment shows that “the AFP cares for the people of Liberia.”

AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu congratulated the contingent for helping the people of Liberia achieve peace.

In a speech delivered by AFP Inspector General MGen Ireneo Espino, Mapagu said that “in the complex and highly volatile environment of Liberia, a country that has its share of socio-economic problems, our Filipino contingent exhibited extraordinary dedication to foster an environment conducive to peace, order and security.”
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VVP, 
GMA News Online
February 15, 2012 1:30pm
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