Noy gives conditions for retention of peacekeepers in Syria

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has laid down conditions for allowing the continued stay of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights in Syria.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Aquino said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had not recommended the pullout of Filipino troops from the Golan Heights but only submitted the factors needed to be weighed for the extension of their deployment.

Aquino said he had asked for a briefing on all of the countries’ peacekeeping activities worldwide after the first incident of kidnapping of Filipino peacekeepers.

His instructions after the briefing were to assess the tasks being given to Filipino soldiers, police and jail officers if they could really carry out their mission, he added.

Aquino said the security of   peacekeepers must be paramount.

Shortcomings had surfaced after the study, for instance,  allegations that chemical weapons were being used in civil war in Syria, he added.

Aquino said of the 1,200 authorized strength of UNDOF, 500 are Filipinos, and that Austria and India are also planning to pull out their troops.

It was all right to help in peacekeeping but the rules of engagement must be refined, he added.

Aquino said the troops must have additional equipment and be able to identify all threats to take care of their own safety, he added.

Aquino said if faced with military tanks, peacekeepers must have the capability to resist and keep themselves alive.

Filipino troops must have anti-armor or anti-aircraft weapons if confronted with grave threats to their lives.

“So once we are satisfied on all of those conditions, the mission will become tenable, we can stay there to help the whole world,” he said.  – With Alexis Romero