A Philippine official said Tuesday Manila would pullout its forces from Iraq "as soon as possible" in response to kidnappers' demands. It was unclear if such a move would take place ahead of its schedule on Aug. 20.
Iraqi captors had said they would kill truck driver Angelo dela Cruz, 46, if the Philippines did not agree to pull its 51-member force by July 20.
Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Rafael Seguis, speaking on Qatar-based TV Al-Jazeera early Tuesday, said the Philippines would pull its troops out "as soon as possible."
He adde the pullout would come according to the government's commitments.
"I appeal to you and to your kind hearts as Muslims to please release Angelo dela Cruz so that he can return to his family and children," Sequis said from Baghdad.
Earlier, the kidnappers' statement said they had done everything in their power to prove they had wanted to spare his life. (albawaba.com)
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