July 13, 2004
By PAUL ALEXANDER
Photo:
Protesters display posters to show their support on the call for the release of Angelo dela Cruz, Filipino worker held hostage in Iraq, during a rally Tuesday July 13, 2004 in Manila. The protesters urged the government to heed on the abductors demand to save the life of dela Cruz who was being threatened with beheading unless Filipino troops are pulled out of Iraq. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Frantically trying to obtain the release of a captive Filipino truck driver with the clock ticking down, the Philippines said Tuesday it would withdraw its tiny peacekeeping force from Iraq as soon as it can.
However, the statement, which followed all-night Cabinet consultations, was unclear as to whether Manila was advancing the pullout as demanded by the Iraqi militant kidnappers, or was sticking by its commitment to bring its 51-strong force home on Aug. 20 as planned.
The confusion may have been deliberate as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seeks to maintain her staunch support of the U.S.-led war on terrorism while avoiding a possible domestic backlash if Angelo dela Cruz, a 46-year-old father of eight, is beheaded.
"The Philippine government, consistent with its commitment, will withdraw its Philippine humanitarian contingent forces in Iraq as soon as preparations for their return to the Philippines are completed," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said in a statement to a Filipino reporter in Baghdad.
However, when the Arab television station Al-Jazeera aired the statement, Seguis was quoted as saying the withdrawal would be made "as soon as possible."
The Philippine government, which has imposed a news blackout on the crisis, did nothing to clarify the issue.
"Let us leave the government to do what is necessary to save the life of an innocent Filipino and to uphold our nation's interest," presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
"It is not for us to judge and raise our voices now that Angelo's life hangs in the balance. This is the most sensitive point in the hostage crisis. We must unite behind Angelo's family, keep our peace and pray hard."
Seguis' TV appearance came after the militant group, Iraqi Islamic Army-Khaled bin Al-Waleed Corps, issued a statement at midnight Monday Philippine time (11 a.m. EDT) that suddenly advanced a deadline for Philippine action on the group's demands and gave Manila only three hours to respond.
The deadline - the third since dela Cruz was snatched last Wednesday - passed with no indication on his fate. His kidnappers said he had been moved to the place where he would be killed, and Al-Jazeera aired a plea from the captive, asking Arroyo to yield to their demands.
Dela Cruz wore an orange garment similar to those worn by two other hostages who have been beheaded - American Nicholas Berg and South Korean Kim Sun-il. He asked that his body be sent to the Philippines for burial should he be killed.
Feliciano dela Cruz Jr., brother of the captive, woke up to the news that the deadline had lapsed.
"We don't know anything," he said, complaining about a government-mandated news blackout on tense negotiations with the kidnappers. "We are asking our president where our brother is."
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said a plan was in place for a "phased pullout" from the three areas in central Iraq where the Filipinos are based.
"The troops have been pre-warned that they may be asked at any time to move out," he said. "That means they should pack up. But we have not gotten the final order to go."
In his televised statement, Seguis also made a heartfelt plea to the kidnappers.
On behalf of the Philippines and dela Cruz's family, Seguis said, "I appeal to your compassion and mercy for his release."
Seguis, who was in Baghdad working to get dela Cruz freed, said that Islam was a religion of peace and compassion.
"I appeal to you and to your kind hearts as Muslims to please release Angelo dela Cruz so that he can return to his family and children," he said.
Recognizing the fine line that Manila was taking to obtain dela Cruz's release while remaining one of Washington's closest supporters, Secretary of State Colin Powell called Arroyo.
"We applaud President Arroyo's decision not to give in to terrorists and not to agree to an early withdrawal of Filipino forces," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday.
But Arroyo's handling of the crisis has also drawn criticism. About 400 protesters marched to the presidential palace Monday to demand the withdrawal of Filipino troops from Iraq, but were turned back by riot police using truncheons and shields.
Iraqi militants have repeatedly used terrorist attacks to try to force governments to withdraw from the U.S.-led occupation force.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040713/D83PSBFG0.html