Members of the France's battalion in the United Nations' UNIFIL peacekeeping mission, stand during a visit by French ministers in their base, in the southern Lebanese village of Deir Kifa, on December 31, 2024. France's top diplomat and defense chief arrived on December 30, in Lebanon, where a fragile truce since late November ended intense fighting between Israel and militant group Hezbollah Mahmoud Zayyat, AFP 

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines would increase the number of Filipino peacekeepers serving under the United Nations (UN).

“Peacekeeping is one of the clearest symbols of the United Nations' promise to protect people and preserve peace,” Teodoro said during the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday.

UN peacekeeping “is at a critical juncture,” the official said.

“The challenges facing UN peacekeeping today demand that we come together collectively to respond to the present challenges of peacekeeping operations, meet head-on to advance innovative and responsive solutions, and answer the call for investing in and sustaining peace,” Teodoro said.

“On new peacekeeping models, there must be a clear outcome when we engage in a peacekeeping mission, and that political outcome must be based on and in line with the United Nations Charter,” he added.

There are currently more than 70,000 UN peacekeepers serving under challenging conditions worldwide.

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Teodoro said the Philippines, which is a “trusted partner, innovative pathfinder and committed peacemaker,” supports all efforts to revitalize and strengthen peacekeeping missions.

“We are prepared to expand our participation and help shape the future of peacekeeping,” the official said. “As a concrete expression of this commitment, we pledge to increase the number of Filipino peacekeepers deployed globally in the years to come.”

According to Teodoro, one Light Infantry Battalion and one Formed Police Unit would be deployed under the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS).

The Philippines will also deploy military observers and individual police officers to support staff offices of UN missions.

“These contributions build upon our existing pledges, which include a Quick Reaction Force Company and a Military Construction Engineering Company,” Teodoro said.

Filipino troops have been deployed under the UN Peacekeeping System and served in several countries, including Syria and Liberia.

Teodoro added that the Philippines strongly supports the “full, equal and meaningful participation of women” in peacekeeping.

“We believe their inclusion in all roles and positions is essential to peace operations' effectiveness, credibility, and long-term success. As a testament to this resolve, the Formed Police Unit we will pledge will be commanded by a female officer and will have three (3) platoons that are fully composed of women,” Teodoro said.

“The Philippines will continue to deploy military and police personnel in any area while taking into consideration their effectivity in fulfilling the mandate of their deployment. All our personnel will continue to uphold the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in fulfilling their mandates,” he continued.

The defense secretary announced that the Philippines would host the 2025 ASEAN Peacekeeping Staff Exercise in September, underscoring the country’s dedication to “fostering regional cooperation and strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.”

In reaffirming Manila’s commitment to support the UN’s capacity-building initiatives, the Philippines also pledged to host the UN Triangular Partnership Program (TPP) Training Courses in the ASEAN region in 2029 and 2030, Teodoro added.

“We also pledge to provide certified Military Mobile Training Teams to enhance peacekeeper preparedness in addressing both emerging and persistent challenges,” Teodoro said.  

“The Philippines stands ready to contribute to a safer and more secure world as a trusted partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker in the pursuit of lasting and sustainable peace,” he said.

The 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial serves as a key platform for member states to show support and announce pledges aimed at enhancing mission effectiveness, ensuring peacekeeper safety, and equipping missions to adapt and respond to complex and evolving threats.

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