MANILA, Philippines – In an eventful Saturday in Syria, 40 Filipino troops serving as United Nations Peacekeepers had Syrian rebels double their number to surround their encampment.
BORDER CROSSING A Filipino member of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force waves as his armored vehicle passes the Israel-annexed Golan Heights near Quneitra, the only border crossing between Israel and Syria (inset: map). UN peacekeepers caught up in heavy fighting on the Golan Heights were evacuated as the fate of 44 of their Fijian colleagues captured by Syrian rebels remained uncertain. AFP
Battling against the rebels for seven hours, the Filipinos managed to hold their ground, defy an order from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, follow Philippine military protocol and get away with their “greatest escape.”
Monday, Captain Nilo Ramones and his men from Position 68 are safely enjoying their day at Camp Ziouni, a camp on the Israeli side of Golan Heights, communicating with their families and talking to General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff.
During a video conference at the war room of the AFP General Headquarters, Catapang caught up with Ramones and his troops after the men from Position 68 escaped the sleeping Syrian rebels and walked through a minefield for one-and-a-half hours to reach the party that brought them to Position 80.
“At the dead of night, we were observing and thinking of a great time to escape,” Ramones said through Skype. “We were facing the Israel side, and once we get the go-signal, that’s when we sneaked away with the rebels fast asleep.”
Looking like a proud father, Catapang said that the resolve the troops showed against a much larger rebel force was “undeniably world-class” and a heroes’ welcome would await Ramones and his men once they arrive home in October.
“As the eyes of the world and the Philippines were focused on what was happening to our Philippine contingent in Golan Heights, you have shown to the world and the Filipino people that you can hold on to your sworn duties to maintain the peace in Golan heights and pursue your UN mandate of peace,” Catapang said.
Scores of Syrian rebels swarmed Position 68 where the Filipino peacekeepers and 44 Fijians were stationed.
Avoiding any casualty, the Fijians dropped their firearms and were taken hostage, while the Filipinos stood their ground and held their arms.
Major General Iqbal Singh Singha, area commander of the Undof, commanded the Filipinos to drop their arms, but the AFP intervened and told their troops to stand their ground.
In a time of light merriment, Catapang asked Ramones, the battalion commander of the Filipinos in Position 68, who would play the Captain if the Golan Heights escape is made into a movie.
“Coco Martin, sir,” a smiling Ramones said whose face was flashed on screens attached to the wall of the war room.
For his leading lady, Ramones said that perennial darling Angel Locsin would play her cherub of a wife.
Catapang, who wants to share in the celebratory mood, joked that he would have beer delivered to the troops in Position 80.
“I’ll have the beer delivered to you,” Catapang said laughing.
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