No reason to doubt gallantry of Pinoy peacekeepers – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - They are heroes and there is no reason to doubt the gallantry of the Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights despite criticisms from their commander over their escape following a firefight with Syrian rebels, Malacañang said yesterday.

“The Filipino peacekeepers who kept the Syrian rebels at bay for seven hours, their determined resolve not to surrender despite being put in harm’s way, show the true courage and steeled discipline of the Filipino soldiers. They deserve a heroes’ welcome,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Commander Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singha assailed the Filipino troops for escaping while a separate group of Fijian peacekeepers were still being held by the Syrian rebels, saying it was an act of cowardice and disobedience to the chain of command.

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang disclosed they had submitted a report on the incident to President Aquino.

“For someone fighting and engaging the enemy for seven hours – that can hardly be called cowardice,” Catapang said.

Lacierda said the Filipino soldiers deserved to be commended.

“Whatever Gen. (Iqbal) Singha said, we leave it to the Department of Foreign Affairs to address those concerns. And the UN being an international institution, we would rather let the diplomatic channels address those statements,” he said.

Senate to honor Pinoy soldiers

The Filipino peacekeepers who defied orders for them to surrender while fighting it out with Syrian rebels would be commended by the Senate for their heroism and courage.

Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Teofisto Guingona III joined Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in seeking to commend the Filipino peacekeepers deployed by the UN to the Golan Heights for refusing to negotiate with terrorists and managing to get out alive despite being surrounded by the rebels.

Pimentel said the Filipino soldiers should be awarded for holding the line in spite of orders for them to surrender to the Syrian rebels.

Aside from commendation, he said they also deserve cash incentives and promotions as provided for under the rules of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Let us bring our soldiers home soon,” Pimentel said.

He urged the government to review its peacekeeping mission with the UN because of the escalation of tension and violence in Syria, where local rebels are fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a bloody civil war.

“While we are under obligation to respect our commitments to the UN, it is also our duty to ensure that risks to the lives of our troops are kept to the minimum,” Pimentel said.

Guingona has filed a resolution commending the Filipino peacekeepers for their courage and bravery.

“These soldiers have exhibited extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. They have demonstrated once again that Filipinos are among the bravest peacekeepers in the world,” he said.

Guingona cited the Filipino soldiers for holding their ground during a seven-hour firefight with the Syrian rebels.

“It must have been a harrowing scenario. Yet they have shown incredible courage and bravery amid grave danger and conflict. They are true heroes,” he said.

During the confirmation hearing of Catapang last Wednesday, Trillanes said that he intends to commend the Filipino peacekeepers deployed in the Golan Heights.

He asked the AFP chief to grant promotion to the Filipino troops. – With Marvin Sy