Aquino slams 'mission impossible' for Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday criticized the lack of clarity of mission given to the Filipino peacekeepers who figured in a standoff with Syrian rebels in Golan Heights.

During a heroes' welcome ceremony in Malacañang for the peacekeepers, Aquino recalled that two weeks before the standoff, there was a decision to pull out the Filipino troops from Golan Heights because their mission was unclear.

"[H]indi maliwanag ang misyon na itinalakay sa atin o ibinigay sa atin, at tila itong misyon na'to ayoko naman hong ipadala, bilang inyong Commander-in-Chief at Ama ng Bayan, dadalhin kayo sa isang mission impossible. 'Di ho natin pinapasukan 'yan," Aquino told the peacekeepers.

Last August, 75 Filipino peacekeepers figured in a two-day standoff with Syrian rebels after refusing to surrender. Thirty-five were successfully escorted out of their post while the remaining 40 later managed to pull off a daring escape following a seven-hour gun clash with the rebels.

Read: The greatest escape: All Phl soldiers safe

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang claimed that the United Nations (UN) Disengagement Observer Force commander ordered the Filipino soldiers to surrender to the rebels, reportedly to secure the release of the Fijian peacekeepers who were also seized.

In his speech, Aquino said the Filipino peacekeepers made the right decision to escape since laying down their arms would have endangered their lives.

"Pag tayo’y ginawang hostage, eh ‘di lalong magiging komplikado ang problema. At talagang limitado naman ang kakayahan natin na magpadala ng rescue force dito. At ating pinanindigan ito," he said.

Aquino said the Philippine government will wait for the results of the UN probe on the Golan Heights standoff before deciding whether it will send new troops.

"Hinihintay natin ngayon ang imbestigasyon ng UN tungkol sa nangyaring insidente at 'yon ang magiging basehan kung tayo'y makikisama pa sa ibang mga pangangailangan ng pandaigdigang komunidad," Aquino said.

"Ulitin ko lang ho, hindi puwedeng dadalhin ang ating mga tropa habang tumutulong sa isang sitwasyon na kung saan imposible o hindi maliwanag ang misyon na kanilang ginagampanan. Importante ho ang buhay ng bawat isa," he added.

The President praised the Filipino peacekeepers for fulfilling their duties and congratulated them for gaining the admiration of the country.

"[S]a kalidad ng inyong pamumuno at sa inyong pagsasanay, talaga namang nagampanan niyo ang inyong tungkulin," Aquino said. "Kinaya niyo ang misyon, maski na limitado ang ating resources o kakayahan."