AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center

UN Assistant Secretary-General Commends Philippine Peacekeeping Excellence During Visit to Peacekeeping Operations Center, AFP.

Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac | 22 May 2026 – The Peacekeeping Operations Center, Armed Forces of the Philippines (PKOC, AFP), welcomed United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO), His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Khiari during his official visit on 22 May 2026, reaffirming the strong partnership between the Philippines and the United Nations in promoting international peace, security, and peacekeeping cooperation. ASG Khiari was accompanied by key UN officials and delegates, namely, Ms. Angelica Ghindar, Political Affairs Officer for Southeast Asia in the Asia and the Pacific Division of DPPA-DPO; Ms. Kakkanang Gyte, Political Affairs Officer; Mr. Arnaud Peral, United Nations Resident Coordinator; Mr. Matija Kovac, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office; Ms Ma. Rosalyn G. Mesina, Country Programme Coordinator, UN Women Philippines, and Ms. Mary Scheree Lynn Herrera Divinagracia, Programme Specialist and UN Inter-Agency PSEA Coordinator.

The UN delegation was received by Colonel Warlito A. Limet ARM (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of PKOC, AFP, who highlighted the Center’s continuing efforts to prepare Filipino peacekeepers for global missions through comprehensive pre-deployment training anchored on operational readiness, human rights, interoperability, leadership, and adherence to United Nations standards. He also emphasized the Center’s commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda and the modernization of peacekeeping capabilities through stronger international collaboration.

During the visit, both sides discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in peacebuilding and peace operations, particularly in enhancing institutional preparedness and addressing the evolving demands of modern peacekeeping missions. The engagement underscored the Philippines’ growing role as a trusted and capable partner in advancing regional and global stability through effective multilateral cooperation.

For his part, ASG Khiari commended the professionalism, dedication, and globally recognized competence of Filipino peacekeepers, while acknowledging the country’s longstanding contributions to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. He emphasized the vital role of the Peacekeeping Operations Center, AFP, in producing mission-ready personnel capable of operating effectively in complex environments while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and conduct.

AFP, Through AFPPKOC, Unites ASEAN Peacekeeping Leaders in Successful 10th APCN Meeting

Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center (AFPPKOC), successfully concluded the 10th ASEAN Peacekeeping Centers Network (APCN) Meeting on 08 May 2026 via a virtual platform. Anchored on the theme, “Sustaining Partnership and Cooperation Amidst Evolving Peace Operations,” the five-day engagement brought together delegates from ASEAN Member States, representatives from the United Nations, and peacekeeping partners to strengthen regional cooperation, interoperability, and collective capability in support of UN peacekeeping initiatives.

Despite the virtual setting, the meeting highlighted ASEAN’s enduring unity, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to regional collaboration amid the evolving complexities of global peace and security operations. Throughout the engagement, delegates exchanged valuable insights, operational experiences, and best practices to enhance institutional coordination, humanitarian partnerships, and the effectiveness of regional peacekeeping.

During the Closing Ceremony, Colonel Warlito A. Limet ARM (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of AFPPKOC, expressed his sincere appreciation to all participating ASEAN peacekeeping centers, the United Nations Light Coordination Mechanism (LCM), the ASEAN Secretariat, moderators, facilitators, and technical personnel whose dedication and professionalism contributed to the successful conduct of the activity. He emphasized that the meaningful exchanges and productive dialogue throughout the meeting further reinforced ASEAN’s shared commitment to peacekeeping cooperation, regional stability, knowledge-sharing, and sustained institutional collaboration.

The Closing Ceremony was graced by Honorable Irineo C. Espino, Senior Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense, as Guest of Honor and Speaker. In his message, he underscored the growing complexities of modern peace operations and emphasized the importance of stronger partnerships, interoperability, adaptability, and collective preparedness among ASEAN member states. As the 10th APCN Meeting formally concluded, participating member states reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships, enhancing coordination, and sustaining collaborative efforts in addressing the evolving demands of peacekeeping operations in the region and beyond.