Bravery of PH peacekeepers hailed in Senate resolution

Photo by Matikas Santos/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate commended the Filipino Peacekeepers stationed in the Golan Heights Monday for their bravery after being surrounded by Syrian Rebels last August.

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang personally led the delegation of military officials in the Senate for the formal commendation pursuant to Senate Resolution 876 that cites their “Bravery and resolve amidst adversity and violence by the Syrian Rebels.”

More than 100 Syrian rebels attacked and surrounded position 68 in Golan Heights where around 40 Filipino United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) soldiers were encamped.

A seven-hour firefight ensued when the Filipinos refused to give in to the demands of the rebels to surrender their weapons.

The Filipinos were able to escape to another UN Peacekeepers station under the cover of darkness while the rebels were sleeping.

An Undof Commander had reportedly given an order for the Filipinos to surrender to the rebels but the Filipinos disobeyed that order with concurrence of Philippine Defense and military officials.

The Philippines is set to withdraw the Peacekeeping force once their tour of duty ends in October.

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