Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 97)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 97 is to approve and adopt the policy framework and guidelines for Philippine participation in United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, and peace-building operations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defense, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are primarily involved in implementing the Policy Framework and Guidelines.
The Philippines contributed troops and humanitarian personnel in Korea (1950-53), Congo (ONUC) in 1992-1993, Iraq (UNGCI) from 1991 up to the present, Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992-1993, Haiti (UNMIH) in 1994, Kosovo in 1999 up to the present, and East Timor (INTERFET and UNTAET) in 1999 up to the present.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, with the concurrence of the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is authorized to update the Policy Framework and Guidelines as appropriate.
It applies to all Philippine military, police, and civilian personnel participating in United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, and peace-building operations.
It took effect immediately upon its signing on April 23, 2002.
There is a need to provide an adequate policy framework and guidelines for executing decisions by the Executive to send Filipino personnel to UN peace operations, considering the evolving nature of the operations and inter-agency coordination.
Yes, the Policy Framework and Guidelines may be updated to reflect changes in UN peacekeeping operations and are to be done by the DFA, with concurrence from DND and DILG.
The Charter of the United Nations, which calls for the maintenance of international peace and security, is cited as the foundational reason for the Philippines’ participation, as it is a founding member of the UN.