PH urged to retain UN peacekeepers

Katherine Visconti

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The former commander of the mission in Golan Heights urged the Philippines to retain its force in the region despite the kidnapping of 21 Filipino soldiers

 

MANILA, Philippines – Peacekeepers jobs in conflict zones are dangerous by nature. In the mountainous Golan Heights they face the threat of land mines, unfriendly fire and abduction.

Actually the peacekeepers have been shot at. You are not a soldier if you are not used to taking risks.
RET MAJ GEN NATALIO C. ECARMA III
HEAD OF MISSION AND FORCE COMMANDER, UNDOF

On Wednesday the threat becomes a reality when Syrian rebels seize 21 Filipino troops

In a video clip posted online the detained soldiers say they are still safe. 

A former peace keeper in Golan Heights recognizes the speaker in the video as his friend, Major Mangahas, a military nurse.

I myself am confident that they will not be harmed. I could tell from his voice.
CAPTAIN FRANK SAYSON
FORMER PEACEKEEPER, AFP CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE

For decades Syria and Israel have been engaged in a tug of war over the highlands, which are sandwiched between the two warring countries. The plateau not only offers access to fresh water in the arid region, it’s a vantage point for launching attacks.

Ecarma, who formermly commanded the civilian and military mission in Golan Heights, says kidnappings in the area have been mounting since the Arab Spring.

Canada and Japan consider the situation too dangerous and pulled out their troops.

The Japanese are very risk averse. It’s their culture and their politicians. Here in the Philippines we’re used to risk. Actually it’s more risky being assigned in Mindanao, Sulu and Basilan.
RET MAJ GEN NATALIO C. ECARMA III
HEAD OF MISSION AND FORCE COMMANDER, UNDOF

The armed forces are confident the peacekeepers will be released for two reasons. First, the Filipino peacekeepers have a reputation for being friendly and are well-liked. Second, the rebels would risk losing international support.

It would be a big black mark on their efforts to ensure that the rest of the world supports them.
RET MAJ GEN NATALIO C. ECARMA III
HEAD OF MISSION AND FORCE COMMANDER, UNDOF

Still Ecarma admits he fears for their safety if the rebels have been infiltrated by Al Qaeda forces who don’t support the peace effort.

The danger here is this, some of the rebel groups are influenced by Al Qaeda, this is a known fact. They identify peacekeepers as a western type of mechanism. I’m hoping and praying that this southern commander does not get influenced by these extreme radicals.
RET MAJ GEN NATALIO C. ECARMA III
HEAD OF MISSION AND FORCE COMMANDER, UNDOF

KEEPING THE PEACE. 333 Filipino soldiers are part of a 1,000 person UN peace-keeping force in the conflict-rife Golan Heights. Photo by Frank Sayson.

President Aquino says there is a need to review deployment to these conflict areas. But Ecarma says its the country’s duty as a member of the UN to keep forces in the conflict zone. – Rappler.com (Special thanks to Captain Frank Sayson for his video footage of the AFP in Golan Heights)

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