Noy defers plan to pull out peacekeepers from Syria

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has postponed plans to pull out Filipino peacekeepers from the Golan Heights in Syria, Malacañang said yesterday.

Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Strategic Planning and Development Office said the government needs to get some clarification from the United Nations before a decision could be made. 

No deadlines have been set for the pullout of troops, although Aquino issued many instructions that could not yet be divulged, he added.

Aquino hinted Tuesday that he is in the process of assessing whether to keep Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights or allow them to come home.

He presided over an inter-agency meeting with concerned government officials with the end in view of reviewing the UN Disengagement Observation Force in light of continued tensions between Israel and Syria.

Aquino the other day told reporters at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental: “The meeting is to thresh out the issues and if we can accomplish the mission that was given us, along with the other forces that have remained there.” 

The objective was whether the UN will allow the government to acquire better equipment, or modify what they call standard operating procedures  or rules of engagement to enhance the safety of Filipino peacekeepers.

Aquino said: “The main question is: Is the mission doable or not? The value to us is that there is over a hundred thousand within the immediate vicinity... of the states in Jordan, in Syria, in Israel, etc. We want to also help in enhancing the maintenance of relative peace within that area.”