Monday, September 1, 2014

Filipino peacekeepers evade Syrian rebels by walking through a minefield

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 1): Filipino peacekeepers evade Syrian rebels by walking through a minefield

Walking through a live minefield was a thing only thought to be done in the movies.

But for Capt. Nilo Ramones and his 39 men who manned Position 68 at the Golan Heights, it was to take that hazard or run the risk of being overwhelmed and captured by the Syrian rebel force whom they engaged in a tense two-day stand-off.

The stand-off between the Filipinos and Syrian rebel force started Thursday 6 a.m. (Syrian time).

Speaking in a video conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Ramones said the decision and plan to escape from Position 68 was reached 6 p.m. (Syrian time) Saturday.

Prior this, the Filipino force was in a seven-hour firefight with the Syrian rebels starting 6 a.m. (Syrian time).

The escape plan was given the go-ahead by the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights and sanctioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This was reached after reports indicated that more and more Syrian rebels were encircling the Filipino position.

Prior their escape, Ramones said that they were instructed by higher authorities to determine the best time to make the attempt.

Around 8 p.m. Filipino observers detected that Syrian rebels were lying prone in their positions as if they were trying to sleep.

Another series of observations confirmed this report and around 11 p.m. (Syrian time), the decision to move out was given.

Ramones said that they made their escape towards the westward side of Position 68 which is near the Israeli border.

"And when the order to move out was given, the Syrian rebels were all sound asleep," he added.

However, the breakout move was not without risk as the area chosen for their ingress was heavily mined.

Ramones said this prompted them to move out very quietly.

And since they know the exact position of the minefield, they were able to make their escape without any untoward incident.

After one and half-hour of walking, the Filipino troops were able to reach their rendezvous point with other peacekeepers who then escorted them to Camp Ziouani for repositioning.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=678928

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