PHL asks UN to ensure safety of its peacekeepers

The Philippines has conveyed its “grave concern” to the United Nations over the safety of Filipino peacekeepers recently abducted by Syrian rebels in Golan Heights and asked the powerful Security Council to ensure their safety.

 

In his letter to the Security Council this week, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran Cabactulan asked the body to "exert all efforts" and use its influence on all parties to the conflict in Syria to “ensure the freedom of movement and the safety and security” of all UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights.

 

The move, Cabactulan said, will ensure that similar incidents are avoided in the future.

 

“We are hopeful that this call of the Philippines – redounding as it does to the benefit of all troop contributing countries and to the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions - will be received positively and acted on by the Security Council,” Cabactulan said.

 

“We are ready to work with other stakeholders to pursue this initiative,” he added.

 

Some 21 Filipinos, who are part of the UN mission monitoring the armistice line in Golan Heights between Syria and Israel following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, were seized by rebels on March 6 in Al-Jamla. They were released by the rebels on March 9 after negotiations with the UN.

 

Cabactulan called on the Security Council to ensure that a mechanism is in place that guarantees open, active, and transparent dialogue between Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and the Security Council in the event similar incidents involving peacekeepers occur.

 

Coordination and dialogue between the Security Council and TCCs are of “utmost importance” given the stakes involved in peacekeeping operations, particularly in the Golan Heights, he said.

 

The Philippines has more than 300 troops in the Golan Heights as members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).  Other countries with troop presence in the area are Austria, Croatia and India.

 

“The Security Council plays a key role in peacekeeping operations.  It sets forth the mandate which a peacekeeping mission is sworn to uphold and observe,” Cabactulan said, adding that members of the Council also wield considerable influence over the parties in the region. 

 

“Our communication to the Security Council is meant to highlight this vital role of the Security Council and for the need for open, active and transparent dialogue,” he said.

 

The Philippines is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions with over 700 Filipino security forces serving in nine strife-torn countries. - Michaela del Callar, VVP, GMA News