AFP sending team to Golan Heights

MANILA, Philippines - An Army battalion will be sent to the Golan Heights to perform peacekeeping duties between Israel and Syria under the flag of the United Nations.

Col. Cornelio Valencia will command the 4th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights, according to Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public information chief.

Valencia said the 76th Infantry Battalion comprising the contingent was complemented by medical personnel, a chaplain and ordnance experts.

“This is the first time in AFP’s history that a core battalion from a major service is sent to the United Nations for peacekeeping operations,” he said.

“This idea is to send a core group to emphasize unit integrity and enhance competitiveness with foreign contingents.” Valencia and his men were pulled out from anti-insurgency duties in Quezon province.

They would be leaving in three batches from May 6 to 15.

The UN’s multi-nation peacekeeping force based in the Golan Heights is commanded by Philippine Marine Maj. Gen. Natalio Ecarma.

In a speech, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban told the peacekeepers to protect the country’s integrity, partly by adhering to the UN’s rule against sex exploitation and abuse.