Filipino truck driver is released

Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz, held hostage for nearly two weeks, has been freed, a spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress said today.

“We have been told by the United Arab Emirates embassy that the Filipino hostage has been released,” said spokesman Haider al Bandar. He could provide no further details.

Militants who snatched the truck driver on July 7 threatened to behead him if the Philippines did not withdraw all its troops out of Iraq.

The Philippines’ 51-strong contingent had not been scheduled to leave Iraq until August 20, but pulled out early.

The last Filipino soldiers left their base yesterday, and headed for Kuwait.

The Philippines has been criticised by its closest allies, including the United States, for giving in to the terrorists’ demand. Iraq’s government has warned that the pullout would only encourage terrorists further.