PHL contingents in Golan Heights, Liberia to be repatriated before yearend -- DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 23): PHL contingents in Golan Heights, Liberia to be repatriated before yearend -- DND

To ensure that Filipino soldiers doing peacekeeping duties in conflict-affected areas will not be unnecessarily put on hazards, the Department of National Defense (DND) on Saturday announced that the military contingent at the Golan Heights and in Liberia will be repatriated before the end of the year.

"Amidst the volatile security environment in the Middle East and North African region, the Philippines prioritizes the safety and security of its troops, but remains committed to the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations," DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Reuben Galvez said.

He added that the 331-strong Filipino contingent serving as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights will be repatriated at the end of their tour of duty in October this year.

Galvez said it is important to note that the Philippines sustained its contingent in UNDOF amidst the withdrawal of other troop-contributing countries as the conflict in Syria intensified in 2013.

"Meanwhile, in light of the rising health risk posed by the outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa, the Filipino troops deployed to the UN Mission in Liberia will also be repatriated as soon as possible," he concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=675945