AFP to send new contingent to Haiti Friday

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will send off its 15th Contingent to Haiti on Friday as part of its commitment to the United Nations’ (UN) Stabilization Mission in the country that has suffered political unrest over the past decades and a devastating earthquake in 2010.   The all-Navy contingent, which will be deployed in Haiti for six to nine months, is composed of 155 individuals, including 12 officers and 143 enlisted personnel, 10 of whom are women.   They will replace the 14th contingent to Haiti—the first all-Navy contingent to be deployed in the country—which is expected to arrive on Sunday.   Led by Marine Col. Arthur Biyo, the group underwent training from the UN for their tasks, which include:

• maintaining perimeter security of the force headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH);
• providing administrative and logistics clerical services in the force headquarters;
• operating and maintaining vehicles of the UN; and
• assuring security and protection to VIPs of the UN mission.

  The send-off and closing of the UN Core Pre-Deployment Training will be held at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News