RP peacekeepers in Golan Heights feted

Filipino peacekeepers brought honor to the Philippines anew after being feted for their work in Golan Heights in a recent medal parade. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the parade lauded the Second Philippine Contingent to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which was established in 1974 to maintain order in Syria after the engagement of Israeli and Syrian forces. "A total of 343 Filipino soldiers were awarded medals," the DFA said, citing a belated report from the Philippine Embassy in Israel. The ceremony was held last August 26 at Camp Ziouani in Golan Heights. During the ceremony, UNDOF Force Commander and guest of honor Maj. Gen. Natalio Ecarma III led the pinning of the UNDOF medals. Assisting him were Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia, UNDOF chief of staff Colonel Gurvir Kahlon, and Philippine Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Alexis Gopico. "Ecarma commended the troops for their professionalism, while Ambassador Garcia congratulated the troops for their excellent performance in meeting the challenges posed by the peacekeeping mission," the DFA said. Authorities deemed it necessary to put in observer force in Golan Heights to maintain the disengagement of Syrian and Israeli forces and to supervise the areas of separation and limitation between the two territories. The Philippines sent its first batch of peacekeepers to Golan Heights in November 2009. A second batch replaced the first group April this year. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV