Government Working to Ensure Safety of Filipino Peacekeepers in Stand Off with Syrian Rebels in Golan Heights

UPDATE (PNA) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said that government is exerting all efforts to ensure the safety and security of the 81 Filipino peacekeepers who are in a stand off with Syrian rebels in Golan Heights since Thursday morning.

“We will exert all efforts to ensure the safety and security of our peacekeepers. The families of our soldiers are already aware of the situation and are in close coordination with our peacekeeping office,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

While the Filipino peacekeepers are prepared to stand their ground, the AFP said they are praying that a peaceful solution will come out from the stand-off.

“Potential for the de-escalation of the situation is still positive,” Zagala said.

Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights went in a stand-off with Syrian rebels who tried to storm their position around 10 a.m. (Syria time) last Aug. 28.

Earlier, Syrian rebels occupied the position of Fiji contingent under the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights.

The rebels disarmed them and later took 43 Fijians as hostages.

“The Syrian rebels also surrounded the encampments of the Philippine contingent. Our peacekeepers are holding their ground to defend their positions,” Zagala said.

“This resulted in a stand-off which is still the prevailing situation in the disengagement area supervised by UNDOF. The Philippine government and UN officials are already trying to peacefully resolve the situation,” he added.

Zagala said that the AFP has already expressed its concern for the safety of Filipino soldiers, as well as the hostaged Fijian peacekeepers in Golan Heights.

“Our soldiers are prepared, trained, and capable of dealing with these situations and will take risks to fulfill our commitment to international security and peace. The peacekeeping contingent has the right to defend its positions and their units in line with UN protocols and rules of engagement,” he pointed out.

“The AFP and the Department of National Defense are closely coordinating with UNDOF on the matter. We are in direct communication with our peacekeepers and with the UN Force Headquarters in the Golan Heights as options and contingency plans are being drawn and considered,” Zagala pointed out.

He added that the safety and security of Filipino peacekeepers remain the AFP’s paramount concern as they remain steadfast on their commitment to their mission.

“All actions of the Philippine contingent will be in accordance to their mission under the UNDOF that supervises the area of separation between Syria and Israel in line with the Disengagement Agreement of 1974. We have a standing commitment to UN and will abide by this until otherwise directed by our higher government authorities,” Zagala disclosed. (PNA) LAM/PFN

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