Hostage tells family to expect him home

A FILIPINO held hostage in Iraq told his family in a videotaped message aired yesterday he would be home soon, but the militants holding him said he would be freed only after Manila withdrew its troops from Iraq.

However, the Philippine military was still awaiting orders to leave, a day after the government said it would pull its troops out of Iraq to save Angelo de la Cruz, despite pressure from the US for its Asian ally not to cave in to the demands.

A message recorded by the kidnappers appeared to extend a previous deadline beyond July 20 but said de la Cruz would not be handed over until all Philippine troops had left Iraq.

"The hostage will be released after the withdrawal of the last Filipino soldier from Iraq within a period that does not exceed the current month," the Islamic Army statement said.

Addressing his family, de la Cruz said: "Wait for me, I'm coming back to you," Arabic television channel Al Jazeera said in its translation of his remarks.

The hostage appeared in good health and wore civilian clothes, unlike in previous tapes in which he wore an orange jumpsuit, typical of US jails and associated around the world with images of Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Al Jazeera quoted de la Cruz as sending a message of thanks to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her decision to withdraw her forces and urging her to stick to it.

Officials in Manila declined to comment.

"We will make the proper announcement if he is already in our custody," a presidential official said.

An official from the foreign ministry said: "We have no confirmation that he has been turned over to the embassy."

Militants who captured de la Cruz had threatened to kill him unless Manila withdrew its 43 soldiers and eight police by July 20, one month ahead of schedule.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert said her ministry was working to meet the kidnappers' demands and the humanitarian contingent had already been reduced to 43 personnel.

Air force spokesman Major Restituto Padilla said no order to withdraw had yet been received and two planes on standby in Manila for an evacuation were now on other missions.

Police Major Honorio Agnila, from the department in charge of the police contingent in Iraq, said officers were going about their normal duties.

"There is no word yet, they are still there. ... They are working at the police academy as trainers. They are teaching the local police, who are former Iraqi military," he said.

"They have not been given any orders yet."

A news blackout on developments has been imposed by the presidential palace.

In de la Cruz's home village north of Manila, preparations were underway for a homecoming for the father- of-eight.

Men from the village of Buenavista were setting up a big tent and posting signs to de la Cruz's house, which was decked out with yellow ribbons, usually used in a homecoming.

The kidnappers' demand has left President Arroyo, fresh from winning a new term in office, walking a tightrope between demands at home to save de la Cruz's life and the wish to please ally Washington by remaining in Iraq.