Summary The unarmed Filipino peacekeepers were abducted on Wednesday in southern Syria.
MANILA (AP) - Philippine military officials say their country remains committed to deploying troops in U.N. peacekeeping hotspots despite the brief hostage-taking of 21 Filipino soldiers, who were welcomed back to freedom in Jordan with a traditional military feast.
The unarmed Filipino peacekeepers were abducted on Wednesday in southern Syria near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights by one of the rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad s regime. After negotiations, they were freed on Saturday on Jordan s border and taken to a hotel in Amman.
Philippine military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos says the government s pledge to help in U.N. peacekeeping missions "is a global commitment" but added security will be improved for the troops safety.
