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Pinoy Abroad

AFP awards service medals to 346 UN peacekeepers to Golan Heights


The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday awarded the United Nations (UN) Service Medal to the 5th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights (5th PCGH). In a ceremony at the AFP headquarters in Quezon City, AFP Vice Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Noel Coballes awarded the medal to the 346 members of the 5th PCGH for successfully accomplishing all the mission tasks.
 
During the ceremony, the Contingent Commander, Colonel Ramon Estella of the Philippine Army delivered a Completeness Report and submitted the End of Mission Report to Coballes, who represented the AFP Chief of Staff, General Jessie D. Dellosa as the guest of honor and speaker. “Deployment of Filipino troops in the Golan Heights amid the events last year, generally referred to as the 2011 Arab Spring, presents a challenge to the courage and fortitude of our men and women, but I am proud to say that our contingents have maintained the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in taking on the tasks and responsibility in this important area," Coballes said. "Our peacekeepers certainly prove that the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ in every Filipino soldier endures—a dedication to the safety and welfare of the people, whether here or abroad,” he added.  
The contingent left the country in two batches: February 10 and 19 this year. In Golan, the peacekeepers' tasks included manning and patrolling the area of separation, operating foot and mobile patrols at irregular intervals by day and night, and keeping close contact and liaison with the host nations. The Contingent also ensured safety of the local inhabitants by guarding the minefield security and maintenance program under the UN Disengagement Observers’ Force (UNDOF).  
The first batch of the 5th PCGH returned to the Philippines on November 13 and the second on November 17, and the third and last batch on November 23. - VVP, GMA News
 
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