Australia honors RP mission to East Timor

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith (left) awards the International East Timor (INTERFET) medal to SSGT Dominador Catindoy of the Philippine Navy in recognition of the efforts of 132 military personnel who served in the Australia-led INTERFRET as part of the Philippine Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor. A total of 537 Filipino officers and enlisted personnel served with three contingents between 1999 and 2000. They included doctors, nurses, dentist, construction engineers, explosive ordinance disposal personnel, agricultural specialists and mechanics. INTERFRET was established on Sept 15, 1999 by a United Nations Security Council resolution with a mandate to restore peace and security in East Timor, protect and support the UN Assistance Mission, and provide humanitarian assistance.