Filipino peacekeepers say won’t surrender weapons to Syrian rebels

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday that the Filipino peacekeepers in an ongoing standoff with Syrian rebels in Golan Heights would remain in their position and won’t surrender their weapons to the Syrian rebels, a spokesman said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said that the Filipino peacekeepers were not negotiating with the Syrian armed elements and were in close coordination with the United Nations. The AFP public affairs chief also assured that the Filipino peacekeepers were safe.

“We are still firm in our position. We will not surrender our weapons. The Syrian government armed elements are still present but our government and the United Nations are in close coordination with each other to ensure a peaceful resolution to this mission,” Zagala said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.