Manila/Cairo (dpa) - A Filipino truck driver held captive by militants in Iraq has been freed after the Philippines pulled out its humanitarian contingent in the strife-torn country, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced today.
In a statement broadcast on national television and radio, Arroyo said the hostage crisis involving Angelo dela Cruz, a 46-year-old father of eight, was ''over''.
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Source: Reuters | |
''I just spoke with him,'' a beaming Arroyo said. ''His health is good. His spirits high, and he sends best wishes to every Filipino for their thoughts and prayers.''
Militants handed the Filipino abductee over to the United Arab Emirates embassy in Baghdad, the official UAE news agency WAM said.
Cruz's release comes a day after the Philippines pulled out its humanitarian contingent from Iraq to meet the demands of his captors.
