Philippines capitulation over hostage 'disappointing'

Supporters of a Filipino hostage in Iraq cheered Manila’s lifesaving decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn nation, but the move was slammed by Washington and its allies, who said the US-led coalition would suffer.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer called the Philippine ambassador in Canberra, Cristina Ortega, to say he was “extremely disappointed” with Manila’s decision to pull its 51 soldiers and police from Iraq, Downer’s spokesman Chris Kenny said.

“He said countries cannot give into the demands of terrorists because we would all pay the price,” Kenny said.

Downer said South Korea “did the world a favour by saying that they wouldn’t be bullied by terrorists”.

Iraqi insurgents killed a South Korean hostage last month after Seoul refused to bring its troops home.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, speaking shortly before the withdrawal announcement, said any pullout “sends the wrong message” to hostage takers “at a time when Iraq is fighting for stability and peace”.

In Japan, a key US ally and major trading partner of the Philippines, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said the 500 Japanese troops will remain in southern Iraq to rebuild schools, provide medical supplies and supply clean water.

“We consider it important to continue activity” in Iraq, she said.

But in the Philippines – where the fate of truck driver Angelo dela Cruz, father of eight, has gripped the nation – people praised the government’s decision to withdraw the troops as demanded by the hostage takers before their deployment was scheduled to end on August 20.

“That’s good. The sooner the better,” said Republican Teddy Casino of the left wing Bayan Muna party, a strong opponent of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s decision to send troops to Iraq in the first place.

Dela Cruz’s family celebrated the announcement with a hearty breakfast of fish and fried chicken in their northern home province of Pampanga.

“We are happy that they are pulling out the troops already in exchange for my brother’s freedom,” said Feliciano dela Cruz, brother of the captive. “We’re thankful to the president if they will indeed be pulled out. And once they complete the pullout, (the captors) should give my brother to the president.”