The Armed Forces of the Philippines has inaugurated a United States-funded peacekeeping operations training facility in Tarlac on Thursday, Dec. 12.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said the facility was funded under the auspices of the Global Peace Operations Initiative, a US State Department-funded security assistance program focused on strengthening the international capacity and capabilities of partner nations to execute United Nations and regional peace operations.
During the inauguration, the AFP officially opened the Peacekeeping Operations Center and a dining facility.
The center will provide training and administrative services to AFP personnel participating in peacekeeping operations, in support of the Philippines’ international commitments, the statement said.
A barracks is also being built under the same initiative and is scheduled for completion in late 2020.
The inauguration, which was attended by Major General Andres C. Centino, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Armed Forces of the Philippines, included the ceremonial turning over of keys and the planting of a tree.
Since their signing of the UN charter in 1945, the Philippines has participated in a variety of peacekeeping operations around the world.
“The United States, as a longstanding friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the AFP through funding projects, equipment transfers and bilateral exercises,” the US Embassy said.