PH military chief thanks UN commander for ‘brave’ remark

SULU, Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr welcomed the new statement of a United Nations (UN) commander, who earlier called Filipino peacekeepers “cowards.”

“Totoo? (Is it true?)” was his first reaction and then smiled to welcome the new statement the commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, Lieutenant General Iqbal Singha.

In his October 9 speech before the UN Security Council, Singha praised the Filipino peacekeepers involved in the Golan Heights standoff. He told the council: “The Filipino and Fijian peacekeepers bravely faced the situation, and exhibited raw courage, resilience and patience.” (READ: Golan chief now calls PH peacekeepers ‘brave’)

“Thank you very much… You know we all have our interests – national interest, United Nations interest. I think all’s well that ends well. Bati-bati na lang muna tayo (let’s all be in good terms),” Catapang said.

Singha also hailed how the Philippines sustained its deployment in Golan Heights despite two incidents of kidnapping in 2013. (READ: How Pinoy soldiers befriended their captors)

“It was only the Philippines and India who stayed the course, their soldiers taking on significant extra responsibilities during this period,” Singha said.

A word war ensued between Singha and the Philippine military in September following the unauthorized actions of Filipino peacekeepers in response to the attacks of Syrian rebels that included members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Al Nusra Front. 

The Filipino peacekeepers defied Singha’s orders to surrender their weapons to the Syrian rebels. Singha was confident the peacekeepers would be allowed safe passage out of the area, where clashes between the Syrian rebels and government forces were ongoing.

The Filipinos instead engaged the rebels in a 7-hour firefight and later executed an unauthorized escape, carrying the firearms and the ammunition that the rebels wanted from them. (Watch the video report here.)

Catapang back then lambasted Singha for using the Filipinos as “sacrificial pawns” to save the Fijian peacekeepers who were earlier taken hostage by the rebels. Singha would later call the escape an “act of cowardice.” 

The Fijians were released about two weeks after the Filipinos escaped.

The unauthorized actions of the Filipino peacekeepers stirred controversy that brought world attention to issues surrounding UN operations in conflict areas. The UN has since ordered a review of peacekeeping operations.

The Filipino peacekeepers came home to a heroes welcome and a number of celebrations led by President Benigno Aquino III. – Rappler.com