The 10th Philippine Contingent at the midst of adversity

By MIRAFLOR R. CRUZ, CHR 8
August 13, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Christopher Columbus and his men, while on voyage in search for spices in the new  world for the kingdom of Spain, accidentally made the greatest discovery in the world history – THE HAITI.  It was inhabited by the Arawaks (Indians) who were peacefully living in the land.

Soon after the discovery, Christopher Columbus named the land Hispañola which was later divided into two: Republic of Haiti in the West and the Dominican Republic situated in the East.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and is ranked 149th of the 182 countries on human development index. The Australian government travel advisory had previously expressed concerns that Haiti emergency services would be unable to cope in the event of major disaster and the country is “economically vulnerable” by the Food and Agriculture Organization. It is no stranger to natural disaster. In addition to earthquake, it has been struck frequently by cyclones that caused flooding and widespread damage.

As to the peace and order situation, there is the immediate problem of the breakdown in law and order in Haiti. It is difficult for that country to sit idly. We support legal Constitutional Authority’s search to rely on legalism which can amount to inaction. Also, there is an anecdotal evidence of an insurgency that claims to control half of the country. The reality is that in a nation like this (Haiti) with an approximate of 8 million people, there is no military. The police force of just 4,000 individuals meant that the governmental authority was thin on the ground in any event.  It was not difficult to dislodge a few policemen by coming along with superior weapons and the will to murder and pillage. There could be no pride in the scenes of carriage and disorders that had flowed from the guns of the rebel factions.  Likewise, the dislodging of the head of State in Haiti’s creeping attempt to overthrow the government of Haiti by force, constitute serious THREAT to the INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY in the region. Thereby, the SECURITY COUNCIL decided to establish the MISSION. The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Advisor has worked in the implementation of MINUSTAH’s human rights mandate.

Minustah has the promotion and protection of human rights mandate, which includes:

1. To support the Transitional Government as well as Haitian human institution and groups in their efforts to promote and protection of human rights, particularly of WOMEN and CHILDREN in order to ensure individual accountability for human rights and redress of victims;

2. To monitor and report on human rights situation, in cooperation with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights including on the Situation of returned of the refugees and displaced persons.

To restore the law and order in this country will require someone to do it.  This means other nation’s troops must take place in order to Restore Stability in Haiti.

The Philippines is one of the signatories in the United Nation, being so, it is the Philippines’ renounced war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations (Sec. 2, Art. ll of the 1987 Philippines Constitution).  Since the United nation sought the assistance of our nation in restoring peace and order in Haiti, the Philippine Government through the Armed Forces of the Philippines, just like other Contingent, had deployed the 10th Philippine Contingent to Haiti in support of operational Uphold Democracy.

On August 22, 2009, the Philippine Government deployed to Haiti 172-strong Philippine Contingent led by Colonel Lope C. Dagoy, the Commander of the 10th Philippine Contingent. The critical role of the group is to prevent the said country from plunging into chaos. To accomplish this, the group needed to have a regular dialogue to the populace in explaining the Minustah’s mandates The gesture of humanity, exemplify the values of solidarity and commitment to service by the 10th Philippine Contingent, was given recognition for its exemplary work in fulfilling its U.N. mandate, in securing the U.N. humanitarian relief operations, as well as looking after the welfare of the Filipinos in Haiti.

The dedication of the 10th Philippine Contingent in carrying out their mission has caught the attention of Ambassador Hedi Annabi, Special Representative of the Security-General and head of the United Nation’s Stabilization Mission in Haiti.  In recognizing the important role of the members of the 10th Phil. Contingent led by Col. Lope Dagoy, the United Nation officials in a ceremony presented to the group the U.N. peacekeeping medal for exemplary work in the service of peace and security.  The untiring and unwavering support extended by the group does not only benefit the people thereat, but also redound to the great credit of the President through the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

While they’re serving as peacekeeper, the deadly earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 (Ritchel Scale) hit the country, causing the death of approximately 200,000 people of different races, thousands homeless, commercial system like telephone lines, cellular phone signals and internet to be destroyed. Most roads were blocked by landslides and falling debris from the buildings. Colonel Dagoy, upon seeing the collapsed of the 12-storey MINUSTAH headquarter immediately recalled among others his (35) Philippine Contingent Personnel working therein presumably being trapped under its rubbles, likewise hearing their howling agonies asking help for survival. In no time, he immediately organized his available men at the unit parking area in the hope to rescue more survivors.  As they continue to rescue more survivors from the adjacent buildings, the 10th Phil. Contingent was glad and overwhelmed upon seeing the Phil Contingent headquarters, which had remained standing despite of the major cracks and damages it had gone through.

While Haiti is facing the disaster, there was an institutionalized response as a result of strong bonding with Filipino Community and the 10th Philippine Contingent. The help came mostly from the members of Phil. Contingent through the leadership of Col. Dagoy, who promptly and effectively managed the going operations, like the availability of food rations, water, medicines supplies in spite of an increasing number of wounded persons caused by a killer earthquake.

In addition to the task given to the Philippine Contingent, they were also tasked in the repatriation of 64 Filipinos from earthquake ravaged in Haiti.

The minimal damage caused by the devastating earthquake among Filipino community members was because of the prompt action of the 10th Phil. Contingent, and the quick response and deep commitment to duty shown by Col. Dagoy and his team.