PHL, UN condemn second abduction of Pinoy peacekeepers in Golan Heights

, GMA News
The Philippines and the United Nations jointly condemned on Wednesday the abduction of four UN Filipino peacekeepers stationed in the Golan Heights on Tuesday.
 
“The Philippine government condemns in the strongest possible terms the abduction of 4 Filipino peacekeepers under the UN Command in the Golan Heights and calls on all parties concerned to effect the immediate and safe release of these Filipino  peacekeepers,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a text message to GMA News Online. 
 
Hernandez labeled the actions as “gross violations of international law” and said that the DFA is already in touch with their UN counterparts to resolve the issue.
 
For his part, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the abduction, saying that the peacekeeping forces should be allowed freedom of movement to fulfill their duties.
 
Ban also called for the immediate release of the peacekeepers.
 
Golan Heights serves as a ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel where over 1,000 UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeepers are stationed carrying light firearms.
 
The rebel group “Yarmuk Martyrs Brigade” said on Facebook that they took in the peacekeepers for their own “safety” after fighting in the area escalated.
 
A photograph they posted showed four men in blue flak jackets, three of whom were marked with “UN” and “Philippines.”
 
The same rebel group was also responsible for the abduction of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who were held for four days and eventually released in March.
 
UNDOF forces have been in Golan heights since 1974 and have multicultural staff and troops consisting of Indians, Australians and Filipinos to name a few. — with Michaela del Callar/RSJ, GMA News

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