Iraqi Militants Free Filipino Hostage After Pres. Says Troops to Withdraw

[Cannikin]

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Iraqi militants freed a Filipino hostage on Saturday, Philippine authorities said, just hours after the Manila confirmed it would withdraw its small peacekeeping contingent from Iraq on Aug. 20 as planned.
The Arab television station Al-Jazeera, however, said it had received a message from the militants denying that truck driver Angelo dela Cruz had been released.

The Philippine government made no connection between the announcement about its troops and dela Cruz's reported release. But if the release were confirmed, it would appear the statement by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration had satisfied his captors.

In Baghdad diplomats were cautious about dela Cruz's fate.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBGSAX2IWD.html

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Umm...what does the Phillipines have that we can rename?

:shrug:

[jdj]

2. I will never forget the South Korean captive's pleas.

I'll never forget him saying, "Please, I don't want to die," and begging his country to withdraw.

This is such a powerful statement and valuation of life.

I guess all the rich republican bitches will fire their filipino maids now.