18 November 2008
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, has commended the UN Mission in Liberia - UNMIL - Filipino military for their significant contributions to Liberia in its recovery efforts and urged them to uphold their duty to care for the Liberian people.
Ms. Mensa-Bonsu was speaking during a ceremony when she decorated 165 Filipino soldiers with UN peacekeeping medals for their contribution to the peace process.
In her tribute, the DSRSG for Rule of Law, Ms. Mensa-Bonsu applauded the Filipinos for the role they play in support of the mandate of UMIL and said, "you have been instrumental in improving security systems within the UNMIL compounds and in formulating Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the highest quality of hired security."
In keeping with UNMIL Leadership's regular call to all peacekeeping personnel in Liberia, DSRSG Mensa-Bonsu reminded the peacekeepers to strictly abide by the Secretary-General's policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
"We are present in Liberia to help the people recover from the trauma of conflict, not contribute to it." She added that, "each and every one of us owes a fundamental duty of care to the people we secure, and especially, to the women and children."
Ms. Mensa-Bonsu commended Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Pamonag, Commanding Officer of the 10th Philippine Contingent for his excellent leadership. "I salute your country, which you represent with utmost credit," she said.
Lt.-Col. Pamonag described his contingent as "ever-smiling, silent professionals, who tirelessly work on the sidelines to get things done." He said that the Mission has taught the Contingent the true meaning of peacekeeping - "making friends, good attitude and good behavior are more powerful instruments than the edge of a sword."
The Filipino Security and Defense Platoons are in charge of providing area, point and security patrols at the UNMIL Headquarters. They ensure the protection of the Special Representative and the two Deputy Special Representatives, as well as all UNMIL VIPs visiting the mission area. Other responsibilities include motor transport coordination as well as administrative, operational and logistical support.
The medal ceremony was attended by the UNMIL Force Commander, Lieutenant General ATM Zahirul Alam, sector commanders Brig.-Gen. Ezekiel Olu-Olofinmuagan and Brig.-Gen. Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, Ms. Stephani Scheer, Chief Administrative Services, and other senior military and civilian officials.
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