Filipino UN peacekeepers attacked in Haiti

Three Filipino United Nations peacekeepers were attacked in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince yesterday during a rally staged by students protesting the presence of foreign troops in Haiti.

Youths shouted insults and threw rocks at UN peacekeepers on foot patrol who subsequently took refuge in a UN base near the Haitian presidential palace.

There were no reports on the identities of the Filipino UN peacekeepers or if they were injured.

Demonstrators also broke windows of UN vehicles.

Three students were wounded, including two accidentally shot by a private security guard during demonstrations in several areas of Port-au-Prince.

Reports said about 200 students took part, even as organizers claimed there were more than 1,000 rallyists.

The protest was organized to mark the 203rd anniversary of a decisive battle that led to Haitian independence in 1804.

The three Filipinos were part of the 7,500-strong UN peacekeeping force sent to Haiti to maintain order after the February 2004 ouster of president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

Thousands of Haitians hit the streets of the huge Cite Soleil shantytown late last month to demand the withdrawal of the UN force.

Gunmen killed two Jordanian UN peacekeepers on Nov. 11, the UN mission said. Jordan has around 1,497 soldiers in the UN force, and at least six Jordanian peacekeepers have been killed in the impoverished Caribbean nation since March 2004.

Philippine Marine Staff Sergeant Rodrigo Galam survived a sniper attack in the Haiti capital last March.

Galam escaped serious injury as his helmet and vest absorbed the bullets.

In April last year, Philippine Army Staff Sergeant Antonio Batomalaque was killed after their convoy was ambushed by Haitian rebels.

Despite the attacks, the Philippines said they will stay on in Haiti to help maintain peace and order.

There are about 135 troops sent by the Philippine government to support UN efforts to restore peace in the troubled Caribbean country.

Aside from the troops, the Philippines has 10 civilian police officers serving in Haiti, making it the 11th biggest contributor among the 41 countries taking part in the 7,500-strong peacekeeping operation. — AFP