Vice President Biden spoke with President Aquino of the Philippines today to express U.S. support for the Filipino peacekeepers currently surrounded by armed non-state groups in the Golan Heights. The two leaders discussed their shared interest in strengthening UN peacekeeping operations. The Vice President praised the commitment of the Philippines over many years to UN peacekeeping missions, including in Liberia, where the support of the international community remains critical to addressing the Ebola outbreak. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral alliance.