The United Nations (UN) has awarded 91 officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan.

The 91 officers in Darfur serve as police advisers with the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

They were awarded a peacekeeping medal each by UNAMID Joint Special Representative Henry Anyidoho in a ceremony in El Fasher, Sudan.

Anyidoho commended the Filipino peacekeepers for their disciplined approach to their duties, selflessness and substantial contribution to the peace process in Darfur.

The Philippines has a total of 163 police officers, including nine women, serving in UNAMID.

UNAMID is mandated to support early and effective implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement, prevent the disruption of its implementation and armed attacks, protect civilians, promote human rights and support the establishment of the rule of law.

The conflict in Sudan is ethnic in nature and began on February 2, 2003. The UNAMID was formed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 1706 on August 31, 2006 to support the African Union (AU) troops. (Madel R. Sabater)