Last batch of quarantined peacekeepers from Liberia hailed

Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the PNP, awards “Medalya ng Papuri” to the last batch of police peackeepers from the United Nations Mission in Liberia. NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines- The Philippine National Police (PNP) honored Monday the last batch of police peacekeepers from the Ebola-hit Liberia after their 21-day quarantine at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City.

Five police peacekeepers were awarded with “Medalya ng Papuri” from the PNP in honor of their sacrifice and courage in their mission.

Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the PNP, led the awarding ceremony of the last batch of Filipino peacekeepers who were among the 133 UN peacekeepers from Liberia.

Among the awardees were Police Senior Superintendent Cesar Binag, deputy commissioner of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Police Supt. Eduardo Abaday, Police Supt. Nixon Cayaban, Police Chief Insp. Emmanuel Caquilala, Senior Police Officer 3 Khynnimer Absari.

Espina cited the police peacekeepers as the “new heroes” of the country for their sacrifice and dedication.

Since 1992, the PNP has been sending contingents to the United Nations peacekeeping operations and missions, first in Cambodia and subsequently in other countries torn by conflict to provide services and assistance.