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Saturday, September 25, 2004
Iraq insurgents may abduct Filipinos, diplomat warns (12:15 p.m.)
MANILA -- The Philippines special envoy to the Middle East has warned that Iraqi insurgents might launch fresh attempts to kidnap Filipino workers there, a presidential aide said Saturday.
The Philippines pulled out a small military contingent from Iraq in July to meet the demands of kidnappers who abducted a Filipino truck driver and threatened him with beheading.
However, the withdrawal strained relations with the United States and other allies.
"Ambassador Roy Cimatu of the (foreign department's) Iraq Team reported to the Cabinet earlier this week that the probability of abduction of Filipinos has risen as a result of the current law and order situation in that country," said President Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye.
Arroyo "ordered that all measures be stepped up to keep them out of harm's way," Bunye said in a statement.
Some 4,400 Filipino civilians work mainly at military camps run by the US-led coalition in Iraq.
The Philippines imposed an Iraq travel ban following the July kidnapping of truck driver Angelo dela Cruz, who was later freed unharmed.
Cimatu said Thursday that Manila believed the sharp rise in bombings and kidnappings in Iraq over the past week was apparently intended to influence the elections in Australia next month and the United States in November. (AFP) |
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