DFA, UN hail peacekeepers’ release

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The United Nations (UN) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday welcomed Sunday’s release of four Filipino peacekeepers who were abducted in the Golan Heights, after the Philippine government assessed the proposed pullout of the country’s troops from the conflict area.

The world body and the Philippine government also called on all parties in the Golan Heights, a volatile ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel, to respect the mission of the peacekeepers under the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) following the abduction of Filipino blue helmets two months ago.

In a statement dated May 12, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “again emphasized to all parties the impartiality of United Nations peacekeepers.”

“UNDOF is on the ground to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria,” said Ban, as he called on all parties “to respect the mission’s freedom of movement and the safety and security of its personnel.”

He also cited the role of Qatar in negotiating the release of the Filipinos but did not elaborate on the kind of assistance the Arab country extended to secure the peacekeepers’ return.

The Philippine government also welcomed the Filipinos’ release and reiterated its “call on all parties to respect the freedom of movement and safety and security of peacekeepers in UNDOF.”