Del Rosario cites bravery of UN peacekeepers

MANILA, Philippines–Saying that Filipino soldiers have bravely done their job, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario expressed concern at “the continuing and emerging dangers” UN peacekeepers face and the need to deal with these threats.

In a speech on Sept. 29 in the UN General Assembly which was released in Manila on Wednesday, Del Rosario underscored the importance of UN peacekeeping missions and said that the Philippines had shown “its steadfast commitment to contribute to this worthy cause.”

He also thanked the international community for its help in recent incidents involving Filipino peacekeepers. He specifically referred to the encounter between Filipino peacekeepers and al-Qaida-linked Syrian rebels who had attacked and surrounded them in the Golan Heights in August.

Protest letter

The Filipino troops engaged the rebels in a four-day standoff, refusing to surrender their firearms, before they escaped them.

Del Rosario has written the United Nations to convey the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ protest against the commander of the UN Disengagement Force Observer Force in the Golan Heights who had instructed Filipino troops to surrender their arms.

The Filipino peacekeepers have since pulled out from the Golan Heights.

“In the face of grave danger, Filipino peacekeepers have bravely helped to safeguard world peace. They have served with honor, distinction and professionalism in implementing peacekeeping mandates,” Del Rosario said.

“We are deeply concerned with the continuing and emerging dangers faced by all UN peacekeepers and urge the UN and all fellow member-states to ensure that these dangers are addressed comprehensively,” he said.

Del Rosario urged the need for issues relating to operations and tactics of the UN peacekeeping to be resolved “at the highest levels as soon as possible.”

“The Philippines reiterates its solid commitment to uphold multilateral peacekeeping, collective security and the rule of law,” he said.