President Duterte has thanked the world’s brave peacekeepers and promised to deploy more women to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions.
Speaking before a virtual gathering of world leaders, the President recognized the bravery of UN peacekeeping forces, including Filipinos, for helping keep or re-establish peace in conflict zones.
"I express gratitude to the gallant peacekeepers, including our own, who advance the cause of peace in the most difficult situations," the President said.
"From the Golan Heights in the Middle East to Liberia in West Africa, Filipino peacekeepers put themselves in the frontlines between the vulnerable and those who seek harm," he said.
Duterte also affirmed the country's resolve to deploy more peacekeepers, especially women. "We are committed to increasing the Philippine footprint in UN peacekeeping operations with increased participation of women,” he said.
The country has engaged in more than 20 UN peace operations, including peacekeeping missions, in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America since 1963. It previously committed to deploy more women peacekeepers in line with the UN's and the Philippines’ women, peace, and security agenda.