WAR: Filipino Hostage Released, page 1

The Filipino civilian, Angelo de la Cruz, who was taken hostage in Iraq earlier this month has been released unharmed. He was taken to the UAE Embassy in Baghdad today, and from there turned over to the Philippine Embassy.
His captors demanded the removal of Philippine troops from Iraq as a condition of his release. In a move decried as "caving to terrorists," the government pulled its troops from the war-torn country.

www.reuters.co.uk
A Filipino truck driver held hostage in Iraq for two weeks has been freed unhurt, a day after Manila withdrew its troops in response to demands from kidnappers who had threatened to behead him.

The United States, Australia and Iraq's interim government have accused Manila of caving in to terrorists, but Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended the decision and said the father of eight did not deserve to die.

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Mr. de la Cruz was driven to the UAE Embassy and told to "go inside." There had been no advance notice that he would be released today, and his arrival at the embassy surprised authorities.

The Philippines pulled its 51 humanitarian troops from Iraq yesterday.

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
TA-THREATS: Filipino reported seized in Iraq
WAR: Philippines To Withdraw Troops From Iraq
WAR: Phillipines Begins Iraq Pullout
TERRORISM: Victory For Terrorists in Iraq

[edit on 20-7-2004 by Banshee]