Protection sought for Pinoy peacekeepers in Syria

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario sought stronger protection for Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights in Syria during a meeting with United Nations officials in New York City last Friday.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Del Rosario stressed the conditions that the government had set for the continued stay of Filipino troops in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

“Secretary Del Rosario, however, informed Undersecretary Ladsous that Philippine troops would in the meantime remain in UNDOF until August 11,” read the statement.

The DFA said the safety and security of Filipino peacekeepers in the UNDOF in the Golan Heights topped Del Rosario’s agenda in his meeting with Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous and other key UN officials at the UN headquarters in New York. 

Del Rosario also stressed the necessary equipment for the protection and defense of Filipino troops be procured by October this year, the DFA added.

The DFA asked the UN to allow the deployment of Filipino troops on a six-month rotation.

“Undersecretary Ladsous conveyed understanding of the Philippines’ position and agreed that providing more robust self-defense capabilities for UNDOF personnel would be vital to the success of the Mission,” read the statement.

Ladsous said the UN will be working with all stakeholders to provide what is needed, consistent with the Disengagement Agreement and its protocols, the DFA said.

The Philippines currently contributes 843 soldiers to eight UN Peacekeeping Missions worldwide.

It has 343 personnel in the Golan Heights and ranks 30th among top contributors of police and troops to UN peacekeeping.

The UN and the US have warned of “maximum volatility” in the Golan Heights if the Filipinos withdraw after a number of other countries like Japan and Croatia pulled out their forces amid escalating violence and a series of kidnappings of peacekeepers.

At Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government still has to get clearance from President Aquino whether Filipino peacekeepers would stay in the Golan Heights beyond the Aug. 11 tentative deadline.

“That will have to be reported and the President will be updated on the response on these items,” she said.

“While initially it is positive, we’d want to wait for the statement of the President on this when he is properly updated.” 

Earlier, Aquino agreed to continue deployment of 340 Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights until Aug. 11, but that extension  duty would be subject to conditions.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said an assessment team had recommended to Aquino the continued stay of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, but that after Aug. 11 a rotational process would be determined.

“Subject to meeting considerations which the Philippines has made to enhance the security and safety of our peacekeepers, the President has expressed that the Philippines is prepared to continue its UNDOF participation,” he said,  quoting a statement of Secretary Del Rosario.

Lacierda said Malacañang would leave the issue to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The recommendation applies only to peacekeepers deployed in Golan Heights, not to those serving in other areas, he added. – H