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All remaining members of the Philippine humanitarian contingent have pulled out of Iraq to help save the life of Filipino hostage Angelo de la Cruz, according to local television Monday.
The remaining contingent members left Iraq Monday by utility vehicle and headed for Kuwait before flying back to Manila, the ABS-CBN news channel reported, broadcasting the withdrawal live.
Later in a brief statement, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert confirmed the withdrawal of the remaining contingent members, adding that "before the end of this day, all members of the Philippine military contingent will be out of Iraq."
The contingent members will arrive in Manila soon, the television report added, noting a possible arrival time of Monday midnight.
However, the Manila International airport media affairs official told Xinhua that the next batch of the contingent members are rescheduled to arrive at the airport on Wednesday.
Philippine Brigadier-General Jovito Palparan, head of the contingent, arrived on a commercial flight at the Manila international airport at 4:30 a.m. Monday local time (2030 GMT Sunday).
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert announced Palparan's arrival in Manila and said Palparan had reported to thePhilippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the military about the details of the remaining members of the Philippine humanitarian contingent to be out of Iraq on Monday.
Iraqi militants who are holding De la Cruz hostage promised to release him after the complete withdrawal of the Philippine contingent from Iraq.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government was forced to withdraw its 51-member contingent by De la Cruz's abduction, to the dismay of the United States and other allies in the fight against terrorism.
The Philippine team began evacuation last week, starting with the withdrawal of eight policemen.
Filipino troops in Iraq helped Iraqis rebuild their country following the devastation of the US-led attack in 2003 that ousted then president Saddam Hussein accused of allegedly hiding weapons of mass destruction.
(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2004)
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