Hostage freed as troops withdrawn

A FILIPINO hostage who was threatened with death if his country did not pull its troops out of Iraq was freed yesterday morning.

This came nearly two weeks after his capture and a day after the Philippines said it had met the kidnappers' demand.

The release of truck driver Angelo de la Cruz was initially reported by a spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, and was later confirmed by Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who said de la Cruz was healthy and well.