AN initial batch of 250 Filipino soldiers deployed as peace-keepers in the troubled Golan Heights arrived in the country on Friday evening at Villamor Air Force Base in Pasay City, two weeks ahead of their original homecoming schedule.

The second batch of composed of 85 Filipino peacekeepers are due to arrive today, a few weeks after the soldiers engaged Syrian rebels who want to take over their posts, in a fierce standoff and subsequent firefight.