Medals, parade welcome back troops from Haiti

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines has honored with medals and a military parade the troops deployed as peacekeepers to the Caribbean country of Haiti last year.

In ceremonies at AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Friday the 135-strong contingent led by Col. Vincent Incognito received  United Nations service medals from military officials led by Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya.

The 19th Philippine contingent to Haiti, composed of Philippine Air Force personnel, returned home on Monday after a yearlong deployment.

During their stint in Haiti, the contingent provided administrative, security and clerical services, transport, VIP security and perimeter defense.

“As your eyes have been opened by the problems occurring outside the [Philippines], I am certain  you have gained more motivation to serve because you now have more to offer our country and  the Filipino people,” Visaya said in his speech.

The next or 20th Philippine contingent to Haiti is also composed of 135 personnel, but this time from the Philippine Army. They left for the Caribbean nation on July 8. The contingent is led by Col. Rosalio Pompa.

The AFP sent its first contingents to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah) in 2004.