02 June 2016 - The Department of National Defense (DND), in coordination with the National Council for United Nations Peace Operations (NCUNPO) and the United Nations Information Center, led the 2016 Philippine commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to honor the memory of fallen Filipino peacekeepers and to pay tribute to those who have served in UN peacekeeping.
The commemoration, which showcased a photo exhibit of the history of Philippine participation in UN peacepeeking from 1962 to the present, was held on May 30 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The commemoration was graced by Defense Undersecretary Honorio S. Azcueta as representative of Defense Secretary Voltaire A. Gazmin. The NCUNPO was represented by Defense Undersecretary Natalio C. Ecarma III, Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Assistant Secretary Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez of the Office of United Nations and International Organizations , Assistant Secretary Ester A. Aldana of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Mr. Praveen Agrawal, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim/Country Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP). The event was also attended by officials from the DND, DILG, DFA, AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Honoring our Heroes”. In his keynote, Undersecretary Azcueta mentioned that the Philippines’ participation in UN peacekeeping is a vital element in the country’s modest contribution to international peace and stability.
The event was highlighted with the awarding ceremony to honor military, police and civilian personnel in their extraordinary service rendered to the Philippines’ participation in UN peacekeeping. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, which is awarded to fallen peacekeepers, was awarded to the late Capt. Aurelio Kigis and was claimed by the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center Commanding Officer, Colonel Eugenio V. Hernandez. The NCUNPO Award/Gawad Diosdado Macapagal was conferred to Ambassador Jesus R.S. Domingo (NCUNPO Secretary-General from April 2013 - April 2016), Col. Napoleon Z. De Vera PA (GSC) (UN Military Observer, UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan), Capt. Aldrin B Doctor PN (GSC) (Contingent Commander, 18th Philippine Contingent to Haiti), Cdr. Leo C Dimoc PN (UN Staff Officer, UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti), Ltc. Joel Benedict G Batara (Commandant, Peacekeeping Operation School, AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center), PDir. Noel Lazarus C Vargas (Director for Plans) and PSSupt. Leo A Marzan (Chief, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Center, Directorate for Plans).
The NCUNPO Service awards were also handed out to outstanding peacekeeping personnel who exhibited their selfless service and devotion to duty of individuals who significantly contributed in the administrative and logistical preparations of Philippine deployment to United Nations Peace Operations.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, celebrated every 29thday of May, honors the memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, as well as pays 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
