The Philippines has committed to increase its engagement in peacekeeping operations to maintain international peace and security, the Department of National Defense (DND) said over the weekend.
DND undersecretary for capability assessment and development Angelito de Leon made this commitment during the recently concluded 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting (UNPKMM) in Accra, Ghana early this month.
“He also committed one Quick Reaction Force Company and one Military Engineering Company to the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System as new pledges,” the DND said.
These are in addition to the existing Force Headquarters Support Unit and Aeromedical Evacuation Module pledges.
The Philippines is also building up a Formed Police Unit, in addition to currently deployed individual police officers, for the UN mission in South Sudan, the DND said.
De Leon also expressed the intent of the Philippine National Police to host the 2024 roll-out of the UN Certified Instructors Development course, catering to international participants from neighboring police contributing countries.
The UNPKMM is a biennial high-level event which gathers foreign and defense ministers, as well as other senior leaders from UN member states in an effort to strengthen peacekeeping operations.
De Leon also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to continue providing UN-certified trainers for UN mobile training teams, UN Military Experts on Mission and staff officers in various mission areas, composed of mostly female officers.