Question & AnswerQ&A (DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)
The Philippines is committed to global peace and, as a founding member of the United Nations, abides by its Charter and recognizes that the maintenance of international peace and security is a shared responsibility among individual states, regional organizations, and civil society.
Peace operations collectively refer to peacemaking, peacekeeping, peace-enforcement, and peace-building, including all humanitarian assistance operations undertaken to alleviate human suffering, especially in the context of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Peacekeeping involves a UN presence with consent of the parties to monitor conflict control and humanitarian relief delivery, often using military and civilian personnel. Peace-enforcement involves the use of armed force to maintain or restore peace when other efforts fail, especially under a Security Council mandate.
The President of the Republic of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the National Council for United Nations Peace Operations, has the sole prerogative to decide on Philippine participation.
Participation requires authority from the UN Security Council, a clear and achievable mandate, a determinable time frame and exit strategy, and the consent of the receiving state to the UN operation.
Factors include national defense and security capabilities, domestic peace and order situation, national interests, and national goals, with decisions made on a case-to-case basis applying general principles and parameters.
The Council provides policy directions, oversees Philippine participation in UN peace operations, reviews and updates policies, manages utilization of UN reimbursements, and ensures recognition of personnel's contributions.
The Council is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and includes the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government as members, with membership expandable as needed.
Considerations include ability to cooperate with international contingents and local populations, necessary skills and training, gender sensitivity, and psychological stability.
Deployment is governed by the UN mandate duration, availability of personnel and equipment, safety and security considerations, and adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and the UN; repatriation decisions depend on safety risks, consent withdrawal by the receiving state, and recommendations by government authorities.