24 June 2014- The Philippine Embassy in Beirut hosted the NCUNPO Executive Committee Assessment Team to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) as they transited in Lebanon on June 21.

The Assessment Team was co-led by Major General Oscar Lactao, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and by Commodore Rafael Mariano, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Philippines officials were met at the airport and brought to the Embassy for a simple dinner followed by a briefing session. In her remarks Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz assured the Team of the Embassy’s readiness to assist them during their transits in Lebanon, and also their UNDOF (Philippine Battalion) escorts. Vice Consul Rona Beth Goce presented a briefing on the political security situation in Lebanon while Consul Dennis John Briones outlined the Embassy’s contingency plan for OFWs in the country. END