MANILA, 24 July 2004 — Despite harsh US criticism of her decision to recall Philippines troops from Iraq to save a hostage’s life, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was defiant yesterday as the freed man arrived in his hometown to a hero’s welcome. The US envoy to Manila had meanwhile traveled to Washington to explain domestic pressures that led to Arroyo’s decision to pull out the Philippines’ 51-man contingent a month earlier than scheduled, an official said.
The withdrawal was completed on Monday. The following day truck driver Angelo dela Cruz was released by militants who had threatened to behead him unless the troops left.
Arroyo brushed off US criticism that she had played into the hands of militants and said she had no regrets about her decision.
“It won’t take more than three lines to summarize my case, and let me say them. One, I take responsibility. Two, I make no apologies. Three, I stuck to my oath,” she said.
Arroyo had vowed to save dela Cruz, who was seized on July 4. After a 17-day ordeal, he returned to the Philippines on Thursday to a rapturous welcome.
“I trust that our allies will come to understand that the Philippines is in a special circumstance unlike the US, Australia, Bulgaria and other countries,” Arroyo said, referring to other countries with troops in Iraq.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday added to previous US criticism of the troop withdrawal saying that “in effect the kidnappers were rewarded for kidnapping.”
“We were very disappointed in the actions of the Philippine government,” he said.
“I’m pleased that the Filipino gentleman was returned home safely, but I think a very high price was paid for the policy position that the Philippine government took.”
In his reaction, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Wednesday that “weakness is provocative.”
