MANILA -- About three hours before the deadline his Iraqi captors gave him expired, the family of Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz received news that he was set free.
President Arroyo called up dela Cruz's wife to tell her the good news Saturday night.
Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, in an ANC report, said dela Cruz was heading for a hotel in Baghdad around midnight, Philippine time.
Sto. Tomas stayed with dela Cruz's immediate family at the former US Clark Air Base, where they were provided with counseling and regular updates on the efforts to free him.
Dela Cruz father, Francisco in a television interview expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government for ensuring the safe recovery of his son.
Arsenia who was earlier monitored to high blood pressure, appeared for the first time and apologized for not giving interviews to the media.
"Sobrang saya po, sobrang saya (I am so happy)," Arsenia repeatedly told members of the press.
Relatives and friends of dela Cruz were rejoicing upon hearing of the good news in the middle of a vigil in Mexico, Pampanga, the hometown of dela Cruz.
Philippine officials worked through diplomatic channels while Filipinos prayed for the life of dela Cruz, who was set to come home in August before he was grabbed by Iraqi militants.
It was not yet certain what time de la Cruz was freed and if new conditions were made in exchange for the release of the victim.
An ABS-CBN report from the Middle East said the prime minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa, played a key role in the negotiations, made through Iraqi religious leaders.
Dela Cruz's ordeal lasted three days.
Earlier in the day, Malacaņang said that Filipino troops will be withdrawn from Iraq on schedule in August.
The government refused to bow to demands for an early pullout, in exchange for dela Cruz's life.
Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo stressed the Philippine commitment to stay in Iraq was due to end on Aug. 20 yet.
Chilling appeal
The announcement came shortly after dela Cruz made a final appeal to the government to pull its troops out of the country.
"To President Gloria Arroyo, please withdraw the Philippine soldiers from Iraq," said de la Cruz, whose kidnappers permitted him to make "his final appeal before his execution" deadline, according to the Doha-based Al-Jazeera television.
"To my colleagues working in the Saudi company and all Filipinos coming to Iraq, I advise you not to come to the country because of the numerous problems and because the police in Iraq cannot protect you from danger," he said.
De la Cruz, 46, was abducted as he drove into Iraq from Saudi Arabia by a group linked to the Islamic Army in Iraq.
The kidnappers threatened to behead their captive unless Manila pulls out its 51 soldiers and police by today.
No early pullout
But Foreign Affairs spokesman Gilberto Asuque also said there were no plans to withdraw the troops earlier than scheduled.
After the withdrawal in August, "our future actions shall be guided by the United Nations Security Council decision, which defines the role of the UN and its member states in the future of Iraq," the foreign affairs department said.
The Philippines had dispatched special envoy Roy Cimatu to Baghdad to work for the release of the hostage and is tapping foreign Islamic leaders to appeal for his freedom.
De la Cruz's Saudi sponsor said in press reports Friday that the company had no information on him and that he was kidnapped for "political reasons."
3 others found
Government also asked local and Middle Eastern Muslim leaders to help secure the release of dela Cruz.
Separately, three other Filipino truck drivers, reported missing after a trip to Iraq, have turned up safe, Labor Secretary Sto. Tomas said.
"They seem to have been delayed in their return trip but they are now safely in their home bases," she said.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said the government "talked to the religious leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, Libya and Egypt, all very influential religious leaders," to work for the freedom of the kidnapped truck driver.
Gonzales added the highest Muslim religious leader in the Philippines also sent an appeal to the kidnappers that the killing of the Christian truck driver by a Muslim group would hurt the image and status of the Muslim minority in this largely Christian nation.
Bracing for worst
But Gonzales also warned the public to brace for the worst.
"We are trading with people who are not easy to talk to. They are not like us," said Gonzales.
The country has barred more Filipinos from going to Iraq to work, but many OFWs still find their way there by going to neighboring Middle East countries and then crossing over.
More than 3,000 Philippine nationals are already in Iraq, working for civilian contractors.
He said government has also taken additional measures to ensure that Filipino workers in Iraq are safe. However, he advised them to remain in safe installations.
He said the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq has been stopped and government is prepared to repatriate those who wish to return to the Philippines.
He also appealed to Filipino workers in the Middle East, and those who are looking forward to deployment in Iraq, not to venture into the country even if they are offered higher salaries.
He said they should wait until the security situation in Iraq becomes more stable.
Arroyo, who supported the US-led invasion of Iraq, provided a small contingent of soldiers and policemen to help the coalition forces there. (AFP/JMR)
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