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.