UN honors PHL peacekeepers in Golan Heights

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 7): UN honors PHL peacekeepers in Golan Heights

The United Nations has bestowed a prestigious service award to Filipino peacekeepers in charge of monitoring a truce line between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.

On March 22, Filipino troops received the UN Service Medal at Camp Ziouani in Israel’s side of the border after 112 days of service, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement said.

The awarding of medals was led by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Calonge and U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Commander Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha.

Amid threats to their security, the Philippines maintains 332 peacekeepers, who are part of the U.N. mission monitoring the armistice line in Golan Heights following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

A group of Filipino peacekeepers in the area were abducted in two separate incidents last year by rebels, but later on released after crucial negotiations.

Philippine commanding officer LTC Ted Dumosmog, who was the first recipient of the medal in the group, congratulated his fellow soldiers, saying that “receiving the award was one of the most significant events in a peacekeeper’s life.”

Dumosmog said it was an “honorable recognition by the international community of the vital contribution of the Philippine contingent in maintaining peace in the Golan Heights.”

Singha, for his part, commended the performance of the Filipino peacekeepers, noting how they have done “exceedingly well” in their mission.

In his speech, Singha praised the Filipino troops for being well-prepared and making themselves physically and mentally disposed for their mission.

He also praised them for taking proactive steps in intensifying efforts to achieve safety and security in their respective positions.

Ambassador Calonge, on the other hand, encouraged the Filipino peacekeepers to carry on their good work in the mission and to continue performing their duties with honor and dedication.

He also congratulated them for their hard work and for doing well as Philippine representatives to the UN mission.

The Philippines has been sending troops to Golan Heights since 2009 when Poland turned over its command to the country.

It is also the second biggest troop contributor to the peacekeeping mission in Golan Heights.

The Philippines has more than 700 police, military and jail personnel in eight other U.N. peacekeeping operations, namely: Haiti, Liberia, South Sudan, Cote d’ Ivoire, the disputed territory of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan, the India-Pakistan border, and Afghanistan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=633138