MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will pull out its troops serving as United Nations peacekeepers in Golan Heights and Liberia due to health and security threats, the Department of National Defense said on Saturday.
“To ensure the safety and security of the Philippine military troops deployed to conflict-affected areas, the country’s contingents in the Golan Heights and Liberia are scheduled to be repatriated within the year,” the DND said in a statement.
The “volatile security environment” in the Middle East and North African region led the Philippines “to prioritize the safety and security of its troops.”
The Philippines will also withdraw its troops in Liberia due to “the rising health risk” posed by the Ebola virus outbreak.
There are currently 331 Army soldiers serving as UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights and 115 Navy soldiers in Liberia.
“The 331-strong Filipino contingent serving as part of the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights will be repatriated at the end of their tour of duty in October,” the DND said.
“Meanwhile, in light of the rising health risk posed by the outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa, the Filipino troops deployed to the UN Mission in Liberia will also be repatriated as soon as possible,” it also said.
The 157 all-Air Force team in Haiti, meanwhile, will not be covered by the repatriation.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines deploys military personnel to Liberia, Golan Heights and Haiti as part of its commitment to help the United Nations.
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