RP peacekeepers in Haiti want proper equipment for rescue

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino peacekeepers in Haiti want equipment for search and rescue operations for them to effectively save victims of disasters.

Reporting to Maj. Gen. Carlos dos Santos Cruz, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) force commander, Col. Raymundo Elefante, 8th Philippine Contingent to Haiti chief, said in last Friday’s rescue operation, his men encountered difficulties in removing the victims from the rubble of a building due to the lack of proper equipment.

During the operation, Filipino peacekeepers, who were the first ones to respond to the call, had to use their bare hands to pull out the survivors and the casualties who were buried after a three-story Church in Port-au-Prince collapsed.

The incident left about 30 people dead and wounded scores of others.

In the Philippines, soldiers have been trained to respond to natural and man-made disasters and have actively taken part in some of the worst calamities to hit the country, like typhoons and sea accidents.

The military has several disaster relief and rescue units that are immediately deployed in times of need.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander said the Philippine role as international peacekeeper began during in the Korean War in 1951-52.

Filipino soldiers have participated in peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Vietnam, the Congo, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Sudan, and East Timor.

As part of its commitment to UN peacekeeping efforts, the Philippnes has been sending troops to Haiti since 2004, Yano said.       — James Mananghaya