Trapped Filipino peacekeepers ready to defend selves

MANILA, Philippines — The 75 Filipino peacekeepers surrounded by Syrian rebels in Golan Heights are sufficiently armed and are ready to defend themselves if necessary, the military said Friday.

Philippine officials remain optimistic that the hostage crisis will be resolved peacefully but are nevertheless prepared for any eventuality.

"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," Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said in a press briefing.

"The peacekeeping contingent has the right to defend its position and the units in line with the UN (United Nations) protocols and rules of engagement," he added.

Colonel Roberto Ancan, chief of the Armed Forces Peacekeeping Operations Center, said the Filipino troops are equipped with M4 assault rifles, M60 light machineguns, K3 squad automatic weapons and cal. 45 pistols and "sufficient ammunition to defend themselves."

More than a hundred UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights are either being held hostage or surrounded by Syrian anti-government forces since Thursday.

Syrian militants occupied the camp of 43 Fijian peacekeepers at the UN Disengagement Force (UNDOF) at around 10 a.m. Syrian time (3 p.m. in the Philippines).  They demanded that the Fijian peacekeepers surrender their firearms. Upon surrendering their firearms, the 43 Fijian soldiers were taken hostage.

The Syrian anti-government forces then surrounded the Philippine peacekeepers' camps and also demanded the surrender of firearms.

"The Philippine peacekeepers held their ground and demonstrated their resolve to defend their positions. They did not surrender their firearms as they may in turn be held hostage themselves," Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

The refusal of Filipino soldiers to yield to the rebels' demand resulted in a standoff.

The crisis happened almost a week after the Philippines announced plans to pull out its peacekeepers in Golan Heights and Liberia due to the volatile situation in the Middle East conflict and the outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa.

Ancan said the 75 Filipino troops who are surrounded by the rebels are occupying two positions that are about four kilometers apart. A total of 40 peacekeepers are in position 68 while 35 others are in position 69.

"There was no actual firefight that happened since this issue or this incident escalated. There was no direct contact or engagement with the anti-government armed elements of Syria and our forces," Ancan said.

Tutaan said the Filipino troops are in good condition despite the standoff. He said efforts are underway to ensure the safety of the contingent members.

"UN officials are already trying to peacefully resolve the situation. The potential for the de-escalation of the situation is still positive," Tutaan said.

"[The Filipino peacekeepers] have been directed to stand their ground in the area to avoid any escalation of [violence]," he added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said he is hopeful that the crisis in Golan Heights will be resolved as soon as possible. He said there have been "positive signs" in the negotiations with the rebels but did not elaborate.

Golan Heights is the subject of a dispute between Israel and Syria, which is torn by a conflict between the Syrian government and rebels.

Last year, a total of 25 members of the 6th Philippine contingent were abducted in two separate incidents by Syrian militants. The first abduction happened in March, when 21 Filipino soldiers were captured in a ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel. Four peacekeepers were also kidnapped in the same area after two months.

All the 25 peacekeepers were freed by their captors but the abductions have raised concerns among countries deploying peacekeepers to the UN.