4 Pinoy peacekeepers freed

MANILA, Philippines - Syrian rebels have freed four Filipino United Nations peacekeepers they captured on the ceasefire line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last week.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday confirmed that the four had been released.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said Syrian rebels freed the peacekeepers a few minutes after 8 a.m. Syrian time (2 p.m. in the Philippines).

They were turned over to the custody of Lt. Col. Nolie Anquillano, commander of the Philippine contingent to the Golan Heights at 8:30 a.m.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the peacekeepers were brought to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) base in the Golan Heights, Camp Ziuoani, for medical check-up and stress debriefing.

The four peacekeepers were kidnapped last May 7 in Al Jamla, Syria. They were patrolling close to an area where 21 Filipino observers were held for three days in March by the same group.

The rebel Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade had said they were holding the four peacekeepers for their own safety after clashes in the area had put them in danger. There was no immediate word from the rebel group yesterday.

The DFA meanwhile welcomed their release and renewed its call for respect for international laws on UN-mandated troops.

“The Philippine government and its people express deep appreciation to the United Nations and to all those who have exerted and contributed to the collective efforts to effect the safe release of all four UNDOF members,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The Philippines stresses the impartiality of UNDOF and its mandate to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria and strongly reiterates its call on all parties to respect the freedom of movement and safety and security of peacekeepers in UNDOF,” the DFA added.

Del Rosario said earlier that he submitted to President Aquino the recommendation for an early pullout of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights due to the escalation of war in Syria and the danger they face in the area.

The DFA chief also noted that the rules of peacekeeping have changed and the kidnapping of Filipino peacekeepers twice over a short period is a gross violation of international law.

The Philippines has been sending troops to Golan Heights as part of its commitment to maintain peace in the disputed area. Once deployed, Filipino soldiers become part of the UNDOF.

The Philippines currently contributes to eight UN Peacekeeping Missions throughout the world, with a total deployment of 843 personnel.

The country has 343 personnel in Golan Heights and ranks 30th among top contributors of police and troops to UN peacekeeping. -Helen Flores, Alexis Romero