Philippines and the United Nations

Philippines
United Nations membership
Membership Full member
Since October 24, 1945 (1945-10-24)
UNSC seat non-permanent
Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.

The Republic of the Philippines is one of the signatories of the 1945 United Nation charter. The Philippines is one of the only four Asian nations who joined the charter. The Philippines is an active supporter of the United Nation's peacekeeping and humanitarian development programs. Carlos P. Romulo became the first permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations.[1]

Philippine involvement in UN Peacekeeping missions

Philippine National Police officers wearing UN berets as they were on duty in East Timor.

The Philippines has been a consistent contributor to the United Nation's peacekeeping missions. In a report released by the United Nations in January 2013, the Philippines is the 30th largest contributor of peacekeepers with 730 Filipinos rendering service to the mission.[2] The Philippines first contributed to the world body's peacekeeping operations when its air force sent a squadron to support the United Nations Operation in the Congo in 1963. The Philippines signed an arrangement of standby forces for peacekeeping operations with the United Nations on October 2008.[3]

Abduction of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights

25 Filipino peacekeepers under the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force were abducted in by Syrian rebels of the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade in the Golan Heights in two separate incidents in March and May. The rebels demanded they will keep the peacekeepers hostage until President Assad and his forces withdraw from the Syrian city of Jamlah. 21 Peacekeepers were abducted in March 6 and were later released three days later. Another four peacekeepers were abducted in early May, the peacekeepers were also released after a few days. In response to the abductions Foreign secretary Albert Del Rosario suggested to President Benigno Aquino III for the Philippines to withdraw its 340 peacekeepers from the Golan Heights. The United Nations, together with the United States appealed the Philippines and warned that an adverse effect of a withdrawal of Filipino peacekeepers from the volatile region.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

During a meeting with UN officials in New York, Del Rosario stated three conditions to the United Nations for a continued stay of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights:[10]

  1. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights must meet deploy its full troop strength of 1,250 by October
  2. Provide the equipment for the protection and defense of Filipino troops
  3. The Philippines must be allowed to deploy troops using a six-month rotation.

By the end of July, Del Rosario said that he has dropped his recommendation to President Aquino for the withdrawal of Filipino peacekeepers and said that the UN officials promised to fulfill the three conditions laid by the government. The foreign minister now prefers for the country's 340 peacekeepers to stay in the Golan Heights for at least six months.[11]

Challenges to relationship

In mid-August 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to pull out of the UN (and form a new UN-like organization with China and Africa)[12][13] in response to UN criticism of the recent upsurge in alleged extrajudicial killings by Philippines law enforcement personnel of persons involved in the illegal drug trade.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Philippines and the United Nations". Un.int. 1997-10-21. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  2. ↑ "Ranking of Military and Police Contributions to UN Operations" (PDF). Un.org. 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  3. ↑ "Philippines, UN seal peacekeeping agreement - People's Daily Online". English.people.com.cn. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  4. ↑ Mendez, Lex. "United Nations, USA Appeal to Philippines Not to Withdraw UN peacekeeping troops". PinoyRepublic.net. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  5. ↑ Sunday, May 12, 2013 1:55 PM (2013-05-12). "4 UN peacekeepers held by militants are released". En.alalam.ir. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "Philippines condemns abduction of UN peacekeepers". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  8. ↑ "U.N. negotiating to free 21 peacekeepers nabbed by Syria rebels in Golan Heights, Philippines says". CBS News. 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  9. ↑ Saudi Gazette (2013-03-10). "Philippines to continue UN help despite abductions". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  10. ↑ "Philippines has 3 conditions for peacekeepers' continued stay in Golan Heights | The Manila Times". Manilatimes.net. 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  11. ↑ Jim Gomez (AP) (2013-07-31). "Philippine top diplomat recommends peacekeepers stay in golan heights after un bolsters safety". 680News.com. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  12. ↑ "Philippines' Duterte threatens to quit U.N. after drugs war censure". Reuters. 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  13. ↑ "FULL PRESSCON INTERVIEW: President Rodrigo Duterte (August 21, Davao City) - start at 1hr:54min for UN comments". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  14. ↑ UN News Centre (2016-08-18). "UN rights experts urge Philippines to end wave of alleged extrajudicial killings amid major drug crackdown". Un.org. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
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