10 March 2013
The Philippines welcomes the release of all 21 Filipino Peacekeepers who were detained on 6 March 2013 in Jamla, Syria.
The Philippine Government and its people express deep appreciation to the Jordanian Government and military officials on the successful safe passing over to the Jordanian side of all our 21 Filipino Peacekeepers and to all those who have exerted and contributed to the collective efforts to effect the safe release of all 21 members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
The Philippines stresses the impartiality of UNDOF and its mandate to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria and strongly reiterates its call on all parties to respect the freedom of movement and safety and security of peacekeepers in UNDOF.
Indeed, this respect of freedom of movement and safety and security of peacekeepers must be extended to all United Nations peacekeeping missions consistent with commitments and obligations under international law. END