PNP officer receives Timor-Leste medal

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine military officer was conferred the Medalha Solideriedade de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal) by President Jose Ramos-Horta for her contribution to stability and peace operations in the country, an embassy report said last week.

The Philippine embassy in Dili reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Philippine Air Force Major Ann Marie Gerodiaz, a Military Liaison Officer with the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), was conferred the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal, a state decoration awarded to national and international security forces for their contribution to stability and peace operations in the country.

In November 2009, a Medal Parade was held for the Philippine Contingent to the United Nations Police in recognition of their service.

The embassy also reported that 133 of the 153 Philippine National Police officers who were on a UN Police mission completed their tour of duty on April 19.

The remaining members will leave Timor-Leste in July 2010.

This year, they resumed policing activities in the Ainaro district on April 12, with PNP Colonel R. Quesada serving as Deputy District Commander.