21 Pinoy peacekeepers won't be immediately brought back to PHL after being freed

The 21 Filipino United Nations peacekeepers who were released after being abducted by Syrian rebels will not immediately return to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the initial plans are for the 21 to stay in Jordan for two days before they return to Golan Heights.

"Sa ngayon naroon sila sa hotel sa Amman at manalagi sila, titira sila sa hotel for two days tapos dadalhin back to Golan Heights sa UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force)," Hernandez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Hernandez said the initial plan is for them to return to Golan Heights.

"Sa ngayon yan ang plano, itong kababayan natin sanay sa ganoong sitwasyon kasi mga sundalo sila," he added.

Hernandez also cited reports from Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Olivia Palala indicating the peacekeepers are safe and okay.

"They are safe, they are unharmed, they are okay, and they are whole," he said, quoting Palala.

In Manila, meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has started assuring the families of the 21 that their loved ones' ordeal is now over.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. on Sunday said they confirmed the news of the release at 3 a.m., radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

Burgos was quoted in the report as saying the released peacekeepers are now with Palala.

Also meeting the peacekeepers in Jordan was Col. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of staff of the UNDOF.

He said the present batch started its tour of duty at Golan Heights last November, and has a tenure of six to nine months. — LBG, GMA News

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