MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will likely retain its 340 peacekeepers in conflict-stricken Golan Heights as it expects the United Nations (UN) to meet its conditions, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Wednesday, July 31.

“It looks like those conditions will be accepted, so on that basis, the likelihood is, we will continue beyond August 11. I made that recommendation already – to stay in the same number, 340,” Del Rosario said in a press briefing.

He said it will all depend, however, on President Benigno Aquino III’s final say.

Del Rosario identified the Philippines’ 3 conditions in a meeting with UN officials last July 12: 

• The UN is able to deploy UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mandated full troop strength of 1,250 by October 2013;
• The necessary equipment for the protection and defense of Filipino troops and other UNDOF are procured by October 2013;
• The Philippines be allowed to deploy troops using a 6-month rotation.

On the first condition, Del Rosario said troops from Fiji, Ireland, and up to two other countries will boost the UNDOF to 1,250 by October.

He added that the armored equipment can be provided by the UN, by the Philippines, or by the US, which has offered its assistance. “We are still in discussion but it looks like we are almost there in terms of equipment requirement.”

He said the UN is also open to implementing the 6-month rotation.

Earlier, Aquino agreed to allow its 340 peacekeepers to stay in Golan Heights until August 11. He set conditions to extend their stay beyond this date.

Aquino had threatened to withdraw Philippine troops from the UN peacekeeping force in Golan Heights unless they receive anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as protection against chemical arms.

The UNDOF has monitored the Syrian side of the armistice line since 1974, even as Syrian rebels have targeted peacekeepers in recent months.

One of the biggest incidents involving Filipino peacekeepers happened in March, when rebels kidnapped 21 of them. They were eventually released. On June 6, a Filipino peacekeeper was wounded, prompting the Philippine government to reconsider its troops’ presence in Golan Heights. – Rappler.com