RP to keep peace contingent in Iraq

The Philippine peacekeeping and humanitarian contingent in Iraq will remain there despite deadly attacks that killed 42 people and wounded over 200 in Baghdad early this week, President Arroyo said yesterday.

"I sympathize with the victims’ families in this recent wave of bombings in Iraq. This series of atrocities will not discourage us from sending medical and peacekeeping troops to a nation that is indeed in dire need of help," she said in a statement released by Malacañang.

The President, nevertheless, said she ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) "to see to it that our nationals are out of harm’s way in their places of residence and work. We do not wish to place Filipino lives at unnecessary risk."

Nearly 200 Filipino soldiers, policemen, doctors, nurses and social workers were sent to Iraq this year as part of a humanitarian mission to rehabilitate Iraq after the United States-led invasion that was supported by Manila.

All five bombings in Baghdad Monday were suicide attacks seemingly carried out by foreigners, the US forces there said. No Filipino casualties were reported.

The International Red Cross/Red Crescent in Baghdad was among those hit by the suicide bombings.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President strongly condemned the attacks by suspected loyalists of ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein targeting US servicemen and their allies who supported the US-led war in Iraq.

"The latest series of attacks constitutes an assault against the international solidarity for peace, democracy and freedom," Bunye said. "The Philippines joins the international community in condemning them."

"It is sad that the restoration of freedom to the Iraqi people continues to be hobbled by uncertainty, but we are not intimidated in the least. Our commitment remains firm and we will not relent until peace and security is achieved in Iraq," he said.

The President reiterated the Philippines’ firm commitment to the postwar reconstruction in Iraq during her talks with US President George W. Bush during Bush’s brief state visit on Oct. 18.

Mrs. Arroyo has staunchly supported the US-led global war on terror, which was launched first against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban supported Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network. — With AFP