MANILA, Philippines — In what seems to be a reversal in opinion, Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha credited the Filipino peacekeepers who defied his direct orders for their courage after he earlier called their escape an "act of cowardice."
Singha, commander of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights, briefed the United Nations Security Council on challenges facing peacekeepers on the ground. In an incident in August, 45 Fijian peacekeepers were detained by armed members of the Syrian opposition, while 72 peacekeepers from the Philippines were surrounded in two positions by the al-Qaeda linked radicals.
"The Filipino and Fijian peacekeepers bravely faced the situation, and exhibited raw courage, resilience and patience," Singha said.
Change of mind? UNDOF chief praises Filipinos' courage | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com