Hostage freed as troops withdrawn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.

But while Ms Arroyo said she was happy that the freed hostage was coming home, she warned that other "innocents" would not be so lucky as terrorists continued to mount attacks and kidnappings.

Breaking a weeklong news blackout, Ms Arroyo went on live national television to confirm that de la Cruz had been freed by the insurgents who snatched him on July 7 near Fallujah.

On Monday, the Philippines said it had completed the withdrawal of its 51 peacekeepers from Iraq to meet the kidnappers' demand - a move that came despite opposition from the United States and other nations.

The United States has said it would endanger other troops in Iraq.

Iraq's government warned Monday that the pull-out would encourage terrorists in their activities.