MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III told Filipinos not to worry about the standoff in Syria between rebels and Filipino peacekeepers, a situation he described as “stable” but “tense.”

On Friday, August 29, Aquino, at an event in Mindoro, said he was being asked to return to Manila immediately after because “we have a slight problem in Golan Heights.”

“Huwag ho tayong kabahan. Ang balita e mukhang stable ‘yung sitwasyon pero ‘yon nga ho, ano, may mga rebelde (Let’s not worry. The reports I received is that the situation is stable but [they are surrounded by] rebels),” he said. (READ: PH troops in Golan to defend posts vs rebels)

Aquino cited the case of Fijian peacekeepers taken hostage by the rebels before this incident.

“Sa ngayon, bagama’t tense ‘yung sitwasyon ay tila wala ho naman talagang masasabi nating panganib na inuulat sa ating Kagawaran ng Tanggulan (As of now, while the situation is tense, there is no immediate danger that has been reported on our defense department),” he said.

Syrian rebels surrounded encampments of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights on Thursday, August 28, demanding them to surrender their firearms. The refusal of the Filipino troops resulted in a standoff that is ongoing.

At least 81 Filipino troops under the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) are involved, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The same group of rebels had earlier taken hostage 43 peacekeepers from Fiji after they agreed to surrender their firearms. The Fijians were in tow when the Syrian rebels surrounded the Filipino peacekeepers.

The Philippine government last week decided to pull out its troops from the area following the deteriorating situation. – Rappler.com