UN exec quits after Pinoys’ escape from Golan Heights
MANILA — Col. Ezra James Enriquez, chief of staff of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), resigned Tuesday following the standoff with and escape of Filipino peacekeepers from Syrian rebels.
Earlier reports said Enriquez resignation was done in protest over his superior’s order that could have endangered the lives of besieged Filipino peacekeepers at Golan Heights.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the resignation to dzMM Friday. Enriquez may have disagreed with UNDOF Commander Major General Iqbal Singha over decisions on t he 40 Philippine peacekeepers trapped in their encampments last August 29.
The resignation of Enriquez, who also serves as contingent commander of the Philippine peacekeepers in Golan Heights, came after AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang called for the investigation of Singha.
When the besieged Filipino troops sought his advice after they were ordered by Singha to lay down their arms as part of an arrangement with the rebels to secure the Fijians’ release, Catapang said he asked them to defy the order.
“I told them not to follow the order because that is a violation of our regulation, that we do not surrender our firearms, and, at the same time, there is no assurance that you will be safe after you give your firearms,” Catapang said.
“Our stand is, we will not allow our soldiers to become sacrificial pawns in order to save the Fijians,” Catapang told The Associated Press.
Catapang and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin approved the troops’ decision to hold
their ground. The troops then staged a daring escape from the Golan camp over the weekend, ending a tense, days- long standoff.
The military chief also accused Singha of having “unstable” decisions at a crisis situation.
“He kept on changing his orders,” he said.