Syrian Opposition Forces on Sunday freed four Filipino UN peacekeepers who were detained while on patrol in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, a Philippine military spokesman confirmed. The Filipinos have been turned over to the commanding officer of the Philippine contingent to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), said Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan. "They seem to be okay," he said. "The Philippine military is glad that the situation is already resolved and there is no harm to the soldiers." The United Nations welcomed the release of the peacekeepers who had been detained since May 7, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman said in New York, according to a report of DPA. Ban "appreciates the assistance of Qatar and of others involved in securing their safe release," and "emphasizes to all parties the impartiality of United Nations peacekeepers," the statement said.
