Captured 21 Filipino peacekeepers in safe location - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 9): Captured 21 Filipino peacekeepers in safe location - AFP

At least for now, the 21 Filipino peacekeepers captured by Syrian rebels last Wednesday are not at risk of being hit by any stray bullet or artillery round as they are kept in a secure location in the Golan Heights.

Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., military spokesperson, said Saturday this information is based from their source at the group who is now negotiating with the rebels for the immediate release of the Filipino soldiers.

"They are in a secure location in the Golan Heights. They are being treated well and unharmed," he said. Burgos declined to comment on when the 21 soldiers will be eventually free but stressed that efforts to do this are being intensified.

Earlier, Syrian rebels expressed their intentions to release the Filipino peacekeepers to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Burgos said this is a good indication that the rebels indeed plan to free their captives who include three AFP officers and 18 enlisted personnel.

But the AFP spokesman said that freedom for the 21 Filipino soldiers would come only if their demands are met.

Burgos also stressed that the captured peacekeepers are unharmed and are in fact being treated as "guests". He said proof that the Filipino peacekeepers are safe is the video footage that has been uploaded in the Internet. The said video shows the Filipino peacekeepers in their uniform and vest with proper markings of the UN, and stating that they are safe.

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