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Filipino hostage released in iraq after pullout { July 20 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/international/asia/20CND-HOST.html http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/international/asia/20CND-HOST.html July 20, 2004 Filipino Hostage Released in Iraq By CARLOS H. CONDE MANILA, July 20 — Iraqi militants released a Filipino hostage today, ending a two-week crisis during which the Philippine government bowed to the insurgents' demand to withdraw its troops, a concession that strained its relationships with countries such as the United States. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spoke with Angelo dela Cruz, the Filipino truck driver taken hostage on July 7 by Iraqi militants, on the phone this afternoon, shortly before confirming the release to the news media. "Wonderful moment!" the President exclaimed when she heard Mr. dela Cruz's voice. The conversation was later broadcast on nationwide television. Mr. dela Cruz's wife, Arsenia, burst into tears upon hearing the news in neighboring Jordan, The Associated Press reported. Mr. dela Cruz was dropped off near the United Arab Emirates embassy in Baghdad, news agency reports said. "We were surprised this morning when the Philippine hostage Angelo dela Cruz was set free in our embassy," the U.A.E. charge d'affaires, Hamed al-Shamisi, said in a statement to Agence France-Presse. Rafael Seguis, the deputy foreign-affairs secretary, told Mrs. Arroyo on the telephone that the government of the United Arab Emirates had arranged to bring Mr. dela Cruz immediately to Abu Dhabi for a medical check-up. Mr. dela Cruz's release followed the pullout of Filipino troops from Iraq on Monday, which had been the demand made by the insurgents in exchange for his freedom. Manila's decision to give in to the insurgents drew criticism from other countries, including Iraq and the United States, which called it a mistake that could encourage more such kidnappings targeting foreigners in Iraq. "Praise God!" a beaming Mrs. Arroyo exclaimed on the phone when the driver said he was all right. In a press briefing minutes after that conversation inside the presidential palace, Mrs. Arroyo said she did not regret her decision to withdraw the Filipino troops. "I do not regret that decision," she said, adding: "Every life is important." She called Mr. dela Cruz the "Filipino everyman, a symbol of the hardworking Filipino seeking hope and opportunity." Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company

berg-beheading Hassoun jill_carroll johnson-beheading 3 kidnapped in kabul { October 29 2004 } 6 egyptians 2 iraqis kidnapped in iraq { September 24 2004 } Afghan militants threaten united nations hostages { November 1 2004 } Aid worker hassan believed slain in video Alqaeda says kills egypt envoy in iraq Alqaeda website shows egyptian diplomat kidnapped { July 6 2005 } Brits rescue peace activists held hostage in iraq Egyptian diplomat kidnapped in iraq { July 23 2004 } Egyptians and iraqis kidnapped { September 25 2004 } Filipino hostage released in iraq after pullout { July 20 2004 } Freed egyptian says treated well by iraqi captors French journalist freed in iraq after 5 months Hostage begs britain to pull its troops out { October 23 2004 } Imprisoned women not freed as tensions grow Iraqi militants free two hostages Italian journalist held hostage pleads for life { February 16 2005 } Italy horror at hostage execution Japanese hostages freed { April 15 2004 } Japanese south koreans kidnapped by iraqis { April 8 2004 } Japanese studying depleted uranium taken hostage { April 12 2004 } Jeffrey ake from indiana pleads for his life { April 14 2005 } Kidnapped aid workers in afghanistan released Kidnapped polish woman freed Kidnappers snatch 2 americans 1 briton from homes Marine in kidnap video charged with desertion { December 10 2004 } Militants release video of japanese hostage { October 27 2004 } Peace group kidnapped in iraq { October 2005 } Philippines troops out of iraq Ransom from italians seen as fueling crisis { September 29 2004 } Second hostage killed in iraq Six foreign truck drivers threatened with beheading Tape of bigley decapitation posted on web Third beheading was south korean who spoke arabic Three headless bodies discovered north of baghdad Three iraqi kurd hostages beheaded Three members of allawi family abducted { November 10 2004 } Video of 11 iraqi soliders executed posted on web Video on web site shows beheading of man Files Listed: 38

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