Manila condemns abduction of 4 Pinoys

MANILA: The Philippines has called for the immediate release of four Filipino peacekeepers seized in Golan Heights, as it condemned “in the strongest possible terms” their abduction by a still unidentified armed group.

“The Philippines underscores that the apprehension and illegal detention of peacekeepers are gross violations of international law,” Raul Hernandez, spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), told reporters in Manila on Wednesday.

Part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the Filipino peacekeepers were abducted on May 7 by unknown armed men on the Golan Heights where there was heavy fighting between Syrian rebels and government troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

Reports reaching Manila said a group called ‘Yamuk Martyrs Brigade’ has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the four Filipinos, but reasoned out that their action was for the safety of the peacekeepers.

The DFA has also appealled to the United Nations Security Council “to exert all efforts and use its influence for the early and safe release” of Filipinos and guarantee the “freedom of movement and safety and security of peacekeepers in all UN peacekeeping missions are observed”.

The four Filipinos were taken to al-Jamla, the same area where 21 Filipino peacekeepers were seized and eventually released last March by the Syrian rebels, who were demanding that al-Assad’s soldiers pullout from the vicinity.

In a statement issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon through his spokesperson, he “strongly condemns” the detention of the four Filipinos in the vicinity of al-Jamla, which is an “area of limitation”.

The statement stressed, “The Secretary-General calls on all parties to respect UNDOF’s freedom of movement and safety and security.”

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