More Filipino peacekeepers to be deployed to UN missions — Teodoro

The Philippines will send more Filipino peacekeepers to the United Nations (UN) missions to contribute  to a “safer and more secure world,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has said.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Teodoro, representing the Philippines, announced substantial pledges at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Berlin.

The meeting gathered more than 150 high-level delegations to discuss the future of UN peacekeeping and reaffirm support for closing capability gaps in peacekeeping operations, according to the DND.

“We are honored to announce our new pledges: the deployment of one Light Infantry Battalion [from the Armed Forces of the Philippines] and one Formed Police Unit under the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System,” Teodoro said.

“The Philippines will also continue to deploy Military Observers and Individual Police Officers to support Staff Offices of UN Missions worldwide,” he added.

According to the DND, these pledges are in addition to Manila’s existing contributions such as a Quick Reaction Force Company and a Military Construction Engineering Company.

On capacity-building efforts, Teodoro said the Philippines will host UN Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP) Training Courses in the ASEAN region from 2029 to 2030.

Manila also pledged to provide UN-certified Military Mobile Training Teams to “enhance peacekeeper preparedness in addressing both emerging and persistent challenges,” the DND said.

Teodoro announced that the Philippines will host the 2025 ASEAN Peacekeeping Staff Exercise in September, which will equip ASEAN troops for safer and more effective UN peacekeeping missions.

“The Philippines stands ready to contribute to a safer and more secure world as a trusted partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker in the pursuit of lasting and sustainable peace,” Teodoro said. 

According to data from the UN Peacekeeping site, the Philippines as of February 2025 has 33 contributors including 23 police officers, nine experts on mission, and one staff officer.

The DND on Thursday said that currently, 11 Armed Forces of the Philippines and 24 Philippine National Police personnel were deployed in the peacekeeping missions.

With the Philippines’ recent pledges, the DND said the following are the numbers of additional Filipino peacekeepers that will be deployed in UN missions:

• 140 under the Formed Police Unit
• 200 under the Quick Reaction Company
• 640 under the Light Infantry Battalion

— RSJ/AOL, GMA Integrated News