Philippines asks UN to ensure safety of peacekeepers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has asked the United Nations Security Council to "exert all efforts" in ensuring the safety and security of all peacekeepers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday that Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN AmbassadorLibran Cabactulan made the call through a letter sent to the Securty Council.

It said that Cabactulan urged the Security Council to “ensure the freedom of movement and the safety and security of all UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observation Force) personnel consistent with obligations and commitments under the international law, to undertake efforts to ensure that similar incidents are avoided in the future, and to cooperate with UNDOF in its operations to ensure that the Mission is able to fulfill its mandate.”

In a statement, Cabactulan said that coordination and dialogue between the Security Council and Troup Contributing Countries are of “utmost importance” given the stakes involved in peacekeeping operations, particularly in the Golan Heights.

“The Security Council plays a key role in peacekeeping operations.  It sets forth the mandate which a peacekeeping mission is sworn to uphold and observe.  The members of the Council also wield considerable influence over the parties in the region.  Our communication to the Security Council is meant to highlight this vital role of the Security Council and for the need for open, active and transparent dialogue,” Cabactulan said.

“We are hopeful that this call of the Philippines – redounding as it does to the benefit of all troop contributing countries and to the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions - will be received positively and acted on by the Security Council,” the ambassador said. “We are ready to work with other stakeholders to pursue this initiative."

The DFA said that the Philippines has more than 300 troops in the Golan Heights.

On March 6, 21 Filipino peacekeepers were taken hostage by Syrian rebels. The rebels released the peacekeepers after four days of holding the Filipinos captive.