ON JULY 19, 2004, President Gloria Arroyo ordered the pullout of the Philippine humanitarian contingent out of Iraq to save the life of a Filipino truck driver who was taken captive by Iraqi rebels.
Angelito de la Cruz was abducted on July 4 of the same year while crossing the boarders of Iraq. The Iraqi rebels threatened to behead him unless the Filipino peace contingent in Iraq was recalled before the end of July of that year.
Ahead of the pullout, Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said he had spoken to Arroyo and urged her to “reconsider” withdrawing forces because “we cannot give up to terrorism”.
U.S. officials also have expressed dismay at Manila’s decision, saying it could spark further abductions by terrorists.
After two weeks in captivity, De la Cruz was freed unharmed on July 20, 2004, a day after the Philippine government completed the withdrawal of its 51-member humanitarian contingent in compliance with kidnappers’ demands.
De la Cruz was first turned over to officials at the UAE Embassy in Baghdad before he was transferred to the Philippine Embassy. He was fl own to Abu Dhabi for medical evaluation.
