Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on government-run dzRB radio said, “Meron namang contingency plan, but we’ll leave it to the AFP to speak kung ano ang possible next steps.”
“Our men are holding their ground and we are all hoping that the tension will ease and that they will be brought home safely,” she added.
Also, Valte said “The AFP continues to brief President Benigno Aquino III on a regular basis.”
In the meantime, she appealed to Filipinos to offer prayers for the safety of the peacekeepers.
“Siguro damayan natin sila sa kanilang pagdarasal at pagasa na ma-defuse ang sitwasyon sa Golan Heights at maiuwi nang matiwasay ang ating mga sundalo,” she said.
On Friday, Philippine military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak sought prayers for some 75 Filipino UN peacekeepers locked in a standoff with armed Syrian rebels in Golan Heights.
An article posted late Friday on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site said Tumulak called on Filipinos to pray for the troopers’ safety. — Joel Locisn /LBG, GMA News
