145 Filipino peacekeepers in Timor-Leste awarded UN service medals

Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Ariz Severino V. Convalecer of the Philippine Embassy in Timor-Leste reported Tuesday that 145 Filipino UN police were awarded the distinguished UN service medal on 8 July 2007 in a simple ceremony at the Salao Delta Nova, Delta I, Dili.  

CDA Convalecer represented the Embassy at the ceremony, while Police Director Emmanuel R. Carta represented PNP Chief Oscar Calderon.  

UN Police Commissioner Rodolfo A. Tor was also awarded a special UN service medal.  

In their respective speeches, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Timor-Leste (SRSG) Atul Khare praised the professionalism and competence of the 145 Filipino UN police in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of Timor-Leste's first three elections.

Khare also thanked them for their invaluable contribution in helping democracy take root in the young nation. 

For his part, Deputy SRSG for the Security Sector and Rule of Law Eric Tan Huck Gim emphasized that for the remainder of their tour of duty, the Filipino UN police will be entrusted with the important task of training the Timor-Leste national police force (PNTL) and transforming it into an effective force in maintaining law and order.  

The tour of duty of the Philippine contingent will end on October 16 this year.