MANILA, Philippines - Filipino peacekeepers being held by Syrian rebels today assured the public that they are in a safe place and are being treated well by their captors.
The peacekeepers relayed the message through videos posted on the website YouTube.
Four videos of the Filipino soldiers were uploaded to the website by a certain “Moerdarvalen†but the identity of the user remains unknown.
In one of the videos, a soldier who identified himself as Cpl. Ariel Evangelista, said they were held by “civilians†for their safety.
“While we were traveling from Zero-Alpha to Al Jamla, (there was) bombing by Syrian armed forces that’s why we stopped and some civilians helped us for our safety,†Evangelista said.
In the video, Evangelista is seen with five other soldiers and all of them are wearing their battle gear. They sit on what seems to be a carpet with their backs to a white wall.
Another video shows a soldier who identifies himself as Capt. Xy-rus Meneses with five others.
"We are here safe in this place,†Meneses said.
“They give us good accommodation and give us food to eat and water to drink," he added.
This is echoed by a certain S/Sgt. Geraldine Sario, who claims that they are in “good places.â€
The soldiers in the videos seem to be reading and relay almost identical messages.