All the 75 Filipino military troops
serving in the United Nation peacekeepers in Golan Heights are now declared safe
after the last batch of troops slipped away under cover of night from the besieging
Syrian rebels.
“The Greatest Escape” this
was the term said by the Philippine Military Chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang and
he praised the peacekeeper soldiers.
"Although they were outnumbered and
surrounded they held their ground," he told reporters.
The Filipino military troops are
part of the United Nation peacekeeping force stationed in Golan Heights since
1974 to monitor ceasefire between the Israel and Syria.
"Everyone now is in safe position"
Lieutenant Colonel Zagala said.
The initial group of 35 Filipino
troops picked up from their designated position by Irish United Nation soldiers
in armored vehicles after Syrian rebels attacked their comrades positioned two and
a half miles away.
Remaining 40 Filipino soldiers
engaged in "7 hour firefight" with the rebels who have tried to ram
the gates with pick-up trucks carrying their anti-aircraft guns. The Filipino troops
later walked to safety to a United Nation position just over 2 kilometers away.
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