2nd batch of 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights returning to Manila Sunday night --AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 21): 2nd batch of 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights returning to Manila Sunday night --AFP

The second batch of 84 members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights is due to arrive home Sunday night, according to Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief.

"The second serial composed of 84 members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights will arrive at 11 p.m. at the NAIA Terminal via commercial Korean air flight. CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff, AFP) Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang will welcome them upon their arrival," Zagala said in a message to the Philippines News Agency.

The first batch of 244 peacekeepers arrived Friday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal in Pasay City.

The 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights figured in a stand-off and a firefight with Al-Qaeda-affiliated Syrian rebels after the latter attempted to take the Filipino-occupied Positions 68 and 69 in the Syrian side of Golan Heights.

The Filipinos exhibited their bravery and commitment when they stood their ground even after the rebels succeeded in taking over the positions held by Fijian peacekeepers, taking 45 Fiji nationals as hostages.

A firefight erupted when the rebels advanced and fired upon the peacekeepers at Position 68, while the peacekeepers in Position 69 successfully repositioned to a more secure location with the help of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force's (UNDOF) quick reaction force.

The remaining peacekeepers, running low on ammunition, eventually repositioned on foot to their headquarters in Camp Faouar on Aug. 30, finally ending the stand-off.

Due to the escalating violence in the Syrian side of Golan Heights, all peacekeepers were repositioned in the Israeli-side of the mission area.

Because of this repositioning, UNDOF deemed it practical that the Philippine contingent be repatriated earlier than scheduled.

Zagala said these personnel, with their families, will be given heroes' welcome as they exhibited courage, bravery and commitment, while in the face of overwhelming threat.

"The AFP’s leadership commends the peacekeepers for showing resolve and determination in fulfilling our country’s commitment to their mission of preserving the integrity of the line of separation between Syria and Israel," he added.

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