EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 97, April 23, 2002

EXECUTIVE ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE POLICY FRAMEWORK AND GUIDELINES FOR PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION IN UNITED NATIONS (UN) PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

WHEREAS, the Philippine has been contributing its share of maintaining international peace and security as called for in the Charter of the United Nations, of which it is a founding member;

WHEREAS, the Philippine has sent its troops and humanitarian personnel as part of the United Nations action in Korea in 1950-53, UN peacekeeping operations in the Congo (ONUC) in 1992-1993, Iraq (UNGCI) from 1991 up to the present, Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992-1993, Haiti (UNMIH) in 1994, Kosovo in 1999 up to the present, and East Timor (INTERFET and UNTAET) in 1999 up to the present;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other relevant government agencies be given an adequate policy framework and guidelines for executing a decision by the Executive to send Philippine military/police/civilian personnel to a United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement or peace-building operation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO , President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby approve the attached “Policy Framework and Guidelines for Philippine Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operation” (hereinafter referred to as Policy Framework and Guidelines).

Section 1. This Policy Framework and Guidelines shall govern all decisions regarding Philippine participation in United Nations peacekeeping, peace-enforcement and peace-building operations.

Section 2. The Policy Framework and Guidelines may be updated in view of the constantly evolving nature of United Nations peacekeeping operations. The Department of Foreign Affairs, upon the concurrence of the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is hereby authorized to update the Policy Framework and Guidelines as appropriate.

Section 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and two.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary