Pullout of peacekeepers from Liberia, Golan Heights to affect PHL image, ex-Army chief says

The Philippine government's decision to stop sending peacekeepers to Golan Heights and Liberia may affect the country's image to the international community, a former peacekeeper said Monday.

“It will have some negative reaction,” said retired Army chief Lt. Gen. Jaime delos Santos, who once headed the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor.

He said the United Nations may no longer prioritize the Philippines as a force provider when it comes to future peacekeeping operations abroad as a result of the country's decision.

“Maybe in the future, instead of giving us the priority, they (UN) will give priority to other countries that can withstand critical problems,” Delos Santos said.

Last Saturday, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it will repatriate the 331-strong Filipino contingent serving as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights in October when their tour of duty ends.

The DND also said the health risk posed by the outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa, which has killed over 1,000 people already, has prompted the immediate withdrawal of the 115 Filipino troops deployed to the UN Mission in Liberia.

Delos Santos, chairman emeritus of the UN Veterans Association of the Philippines, said the negative impact that may result from the DND's decision will just be “temporary.”

“That (effect) will not be permanent,” he said. —KBK, GMA News

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