United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous firmly denied the Philippine army chief’s claim that Filipino peacekeepers were ordered to surrender their weapons to Islamist militants in Golan Heights.

Filipino soldiers protected themselves against the rebels last week in defiance of the U.N. force commander Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singha's order to surrender their arms, Philippine army chief General Gregorio Catapang told reporters. The order was reportedly aimed to prevent harm from befalling the Fijian captives.

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In a press conference in New York, Ladsous said it is a matter of judgment. Singha exercised good, sound judgment all along the operation, he added.

When asked about the order given to the soldiers, Ladsous explained that they simply told them to leave the weapons quietly to give some space but never to hand over weapons. He also said they ordered the peacekeepers not to shoot.

One U.N. official said there is no force commander who would order his army to hand over weapons to militants. If that happens, the commander would be out of a job because countries that supply arms to the military force would be hesitant to re-supply the operation, Reuters reported.

The issue of what orders should be given to the Golan peacekeepers was discussed in a closed-door meeting of the 15-nation body last Wednesday, Several Security Council diplomats told the media.

During the meeting, Ladsous expressed full support for Singha, commending him for displaying strong professionalism and leadership, and making decisions helpful to the mission. The U.N. peacekeepers showed steadfastness and courage in the quick reaction force for its assistance, he said.

Last week, heavy clashes occurred in Golan Heights when Syrian rebels captured a border crossing between Syria and Israel near the Quneitra town.

The Al-Nusra Front, a member of al-Qaeda's Syria branch, abducted Fijian peacekeepers and besieged two Filipino contingents to United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for two days before the Filipino peacekeepers escaped.

However, the 45 Fijian peacekeepers are still being held hostage by the Syrian rebels, reports confirmed.

TagsU.N. peacekeepers, Syria rebels, war, Filipino forces