15 March 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, headed by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge, met on March 11 the twenty-one (21) Filipino United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the Golan Heights who were detained by Syrian rebels last week.
The 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers arrived at Camp Ziouani around 6:00 p.m. local time and were personally received and greeted by Ambassador Calonge, Philippine Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Nolie Anquiliano and other members of the Philippine Contingent. The soldiers entered Israel via the Jordan-Israel border. They travelled non-stop from the border to Camp Ziouani in the Israeli side of the Golan Heights.
Despite the uncertainties they experienced during the four-day ordeal, the peacekeepers appeared to be in high spirits and were very delighted upon seeing the welcoming party.
Boosting their morale, their fellow Filipino peacekeepers waived Philippine and UN flaglets and began cheering upon seeing the UN convoy transporting their comrades enter the Philippine Battalion Headquarters in the camp.
Philippine Army Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, Chief of Staff of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), led the team that received them in the Jordanian border and accompanied them in their travel back to their home base.
Upon arrival in the Philippine Battalion headquarters, Col. Sobejana immediately reported by phone to Major General Iqbal Singha, Force Commander of UNDOF based in Camp Faouar, Syrian side, of the arrival of the 21 detained UN peacekeepers.
Ambassador Calonge received by phone the message of appreciation from the Force Commander and the UN for the unwavering support being extended by the Philippines to peacekeeping operations, especially in the Golan Heights.
The Ambassador took the opportunity to talk to the 21 UN Peacekeepers who, together with other members of the Philippine Contingent, assembled in the briefing room of the Philippine Battalion.
The Ambassador heralded their bravery and calmness in the face of uncommon stress. “You have once again demonstrated the bravery of Philippine soldiers wherever they may be posted, at home or abroad, you have defined and personified the true meaning of peacekeeping and you have made your country very proud as you continue to perform your duties and responsibilities without fear in the face of danger,” Ambassador Calonge said.
“Now, everybody understands that peacekeeping is not a very simple task because it calls, among others, for your fair and sound judgment on each and every situation you find yourselves into,” the Ambassador added.
“I fully understand the complexities being faced by peacekeepers. The rules of military engagement are complex but they are much more difficult to apply in situations like these,” he also noted.
Ambassador Calonge reiterated that the Philippines, as a founding member of the UN, will remain fully committed to the UN mandate of promoting peace and security, and that the Philippine Contingent to the UNDOF would remain stationed in the Golan Heights to perform its obligations in the name of peace. Colonel Sobejano, for his part, expressed UNDOF’s appreciation for the unwavering support of the Philippine Embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman.
He noted that the safe return of the 21 UN peacekeepers was a relief. Nevertheless, the peacekeepers would still have to undergo standard operating procedures applicable in this type of situation before they could return to duty.
Lt. Col. Anquiliano, Philippine Battalion Commander, also conveyed to Ambassador Calonge his and his contingent’s appreciation to the Philippine Embassy’s effort to boost the morale of Filipino soldiers in the Golan Heights. He noted that it was also difficult for him as battalion commander to lose 21 soldiers under his watch, and their release and safe return to home base is indeed an occasion to cherish. He nevertheless maintained that the peacekeepers under his command will remain fully committed to performing their duties as troops of a country that takes its international commitments seriously. END