DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday said the Philippines will increase the number of Filipino peacekeepers serving under the United Nations.
“UN peacekeeping is at a critical juncture at present. This demands that we come together collectively to respond to the present challenges, meet head-on to advance innovative and responsive solutions and answer the call for investing in and sustaining peace,” said Teodoro during the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Germany.
Teodoro said the Philippines, which “is a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder and committed peacekeeper,” supports all efforts to “revitalize and further strengthen peacekeeping missions.”
“We are prepared to expand our participation and help shape the future of peacekeeping. As a concrete expression of this commitment, we pledge to increase the number of Filipino peacekeepers deployed globally in the years to come,” said Teodoro.
Teodoro, however, did not say by how many the Philippines will increase the number of peacekeepers it will deploy.
Filipino troops are currently deployed under the UN peacekeeping system, serving in several countries, including Liberia, Haiti, Syria and the Golan Heights.
Teodoro said one light infantry battalion and a police unit will be deployed under the UN peacekeeping capability readiness system.
“The Philippines will also continue to deploy military observers and individual police officers to support staff officers of the United Nations missions worldwide”, said Teodoro.
“These contributions build upon our existing pledges, which include a quick reaction force company and a military construction engineering company,” he added.
Teodoro said the Philippines will be hosting the UN Triangular Partnership Program for the calendar year 2029-2030.
He added that the Philippines will also provide certified military mobile training teams “to enhance peacekeeper preparedness in addressing both emerging and persistent challenges.”
He also said the Philippines supports “the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping operations, adding that more Filipino women will be deployed as peacekeepers, a move that “is essential to the effectiveness of peace operations, its credibility and long-term success.”
“The Philippines will continue to deploy military and police personnel in any area while taking into consideration their effectiveness 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,” said Teodoro.
Teodoro announced during the event that the Philippines will be hosting the 2025 ASEAN peacekeeping staff exercise in September.
“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,” said Teodoro.
