PHL sends largest peacekeeping contingent to Haiti

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday deployed a 135-man peacekeeping contingency to Haiti to fulfill a year-long tour for the United Nations.
According to AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, this year's UN Peacekeeping Contingent is the country's largest deployment after it pulled out its contingent from Liberia and Golan Heghts in 2014.
Padilla said the contingent "is the Philippines contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operations worldwide."
"This is the 20th deployment of the Philippines by far. The contingent they will replace will arrive next week, 11 July," he said.
Col. Rosalio Pompa of the AFP will lead the contingent composed of 15 officers and 119 enlisted officers, 14 of whom are women.
Pompa and the UN peacekeepers were sent off by ranking military officers led by AFP chief General Ricardo Visaya.
The Philippines is involved in five UN missions, committing over 600 personnel. According to the UN, the Philippines ranks 33rd among 123 nations in terms of military and police contributions to its operations. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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