26 May 2015 - The Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the National Council for United Nations Peace Operations (NCUNPO) and the United Nations Information Center, hosted the 2015 Philippine Commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers today at the DFA Building in Roxas Boulevard.
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Evan Garcia, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim Terence Jones, and high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology led the inauguration of an exhibit featuring the history of Philippine involvement in UN peacekeeping from 1964 up to the present day.
They were later joined by members of the diplomatic corps, government, military and law enforcement officials at the opening ceremonies in Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, where Acting Secretary Garcia delivered the keynote speech and Mr. Jones conveyed the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. Both officials hailed the sacrifices made by the valiant blue helmets, and called for action in helping face the new realities and challenges of modern UN peacekeeping.
The event was highlighted by awarding ceremonies for military, police, corrections and civilian personnel for their exemplary service to the cause of peacekeeping. National Council for UN Peace Operations (NCUNPO) Awards were handed out to Col. Roberto Ancan (Chief of the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center), PSupt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag (Former Deputy Police Commissioner, United Nations Mission in Liberia), Col. Reno Tolentino (Secretariat Head, AFP Screening Board Bravo), Lt. Col. Arnel Bautista (Chief of AFP-PKOC Mission Support Office), PSupt. David Vinluan (Former Police Officer 4, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, New York), PSupt. Edward Quijano (Assistant Chief, PNP UN Peace Operations Center), JSInsp. Ma. Teresa Colopano (Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology), PCInsp. Algen Taba (Fleet Adviser and Team Leader, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti), Mr. Raphael Hermoso (Former Executive Director, NCUNPO Secretariat), Mr. Robert Eric Borje (Former Fourth Committee Officer, Philippine Mission to the UN in New York) and Mr. Christian Louie Belleza (Desk Officer for Peacekeeping and Crisis Operations, NCUNPO).
Service and bravery awards were also handed out to outstanding peacekeeping personnel, including all returning Filipino peacekeepers and members of the Philippine
contingent in the Golan Heights who were involved in the standoff with Syrian rebels last year.
Later in the afternoon, the Foreign Service Institute co-hosted a Mangrove Forum on Philippine Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations. Distinguished speakers at the Forum included Assistant Secretary Jesus R. S. Domingo of DFA-Office of the United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO), and pioneering leaders Defense Undersecretary Natalio Ecarma III (MGen. Ret.), the first Filipino Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, and Police Director Wilfredo Franco, Former Senior Team Leader of the Standing Police Capacity of the UN Logistics Base (UNLB) in Brindisi, Italy.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is celebrated around the world every 29th day of May in memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, as well as a tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN Peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage. The Philippine observance of the event was made official by Proclamation No. 1755, series of 2009. END
