Philippines to continue UN help despite abductions
-A A +ASunday, March 10, 2013
MANILA — The Philippine government remains committed to deploying troops in United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping hotspots despite the brief hostage-taking of 21 Filipino soldiers, who were welcomed back to freedom in Jordan with a traditional military feast.
The unarmed Filipino peacekeepers were abducted on Wednesday in southern Syria near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights by one of the rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. After negotiations, they were freed on Saturday on Jordan's border and taken to a hotel in Amman.
Colonel Arnulfo Burgos, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the government's pledge to help in U.N. peacekeeping missions "is a global commitment," but added security will be improved for the troops' safety.
A Filipino army major was also briefly held in the Golan Heights last January by anti-Assad rebels. (AP/Sunnex)
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