US praises GMA for tough stance in hostage crisis

The United States praised President Arroyo yesterday for her tough stance in a hostage crisis involving a Filipino truck driver threatened with death by his Iraqi captors.

"I see a leader who has strength and compassion in a way that is truly inspirational here. It’s a tough crisis, and leaders are called upon in a crisis to do hard things," US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said over ABS-CBN television.

Ricciardone said his government was also prepared to assist in any way to secure the release of Angelo de la Cruz, abducted last week by a group calling itself the Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade, linked to the militant Islamic Army in Iraq.

The militants have demanded that Mrs. Arroyo pledge to pull out a 51-member Filipino contingent in Iraq by July 20, or risk seeing the Filipino beheaded.

Mrs. Arroyo, a staunch Asian ally of the US-led invasion, has steadfastly rejected the demand.

"She has shown deep, deep care for this hostage, and also cared for the country’s long-term interest," Ricciardone said.

He said the United States was in close touch with the Iraqi and Philippine governments who are both working overtime to free De la Cruz, as well as other foreign hostages, including Bulgarians.

"We hope for a successful outcome of this. We dearly hope for the release of this poor Filipino, as for the Bulgarians and others," he stressed.

The President has come under pressure from various sectors to recall the Philippine contingent, whose stint officially ends on Aug. 20.

The hostage crisis also is proving to be the first major test for Arroyo since winning a new six-year term in the May election.

Ricciardone said Filipino troops in Iraq were not combatants but were engaged in humanitarian work, and contributing to the reconstruction of the war-torn Middle Eastern country.— AFP