NNA - Syrian rebels have freed four Filipino U.N. peacekeepers who they had captured on the ceasefire line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last week, the Philippines' foreign minister said on Sunday, according to Reuters.



Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario confirmed to Reuters in Manila that the four had been released.


The rebel Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade had said they were holding the peacekeepers for their own safety after clashes in the area had put them in danger. There was no immediate word from the rebel group itself on Sunday.


The four had been detained as they were patrolling close to an area where 21 Filipino observers were held for three days in March by the same group.