MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government through President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the actions of the Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights.
“Lahat ng Pilipinong sundalo doon, mula sa pinakabagong private hanggang sa colonel natin, nagpakita ng abilidad at husay sa kanilang tungkulin. Nang maipit, gumawa ng plano, kumilos, at nailigtas nga po nila ang isa’t isa sa panganib,” the President said in his speech during the Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners, which Malacañang Palace hosted on Friday.
He noted that the government has long been lobbying that Filipino peacekeepers be allowed to carry high-powered firearms.
“Matagal din po tayong humiling na mapayagang bigyan o pahintulutang magdala ng mas malakas na armas ang ating mga sundalo doon dahil nag-iba na po kasi ang sitwasyon, at dumami ang mga puwersang nagtutunggalian sa lugar na inatasan tayong bantayan,” he added.
He likened the Filipino peacekeepers to the soldiers who fought in the Zamboanga siege in October 2013.
“Di ba ganyan din po ang ipinakitang husay ng ating mga sundalo sa Zamboanga? Sa 197 na hostages doon, 195 ang nailigtas nila, at ang dalawang namatay ay napaslang hindi dahil sa crossfire ng rescue, kundi dahil pinaslang sila ng mga tumatakas na masasamang elemento,” he said.
The dialogue was attended by about 400 guests, consisting of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups
