Pullout completed today

The remaining members of the Philippine humanitarian contingent will complete their pullout from Iraq today, a full month ahead of schedule, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert said yesterday.

In a statement, Albert said the remaining members of the Philippine contingent would make an "exit call" on the Polish commander of the international peacekeeping forces in Iraq in the morning to formalize their complete withdrawal from the command before taking a flight home.

"The remaining members of the Philippine humanitarian contingent are finalizing the turnover of their responsibilities," she said.

Albert said Special Envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu will accompany the Filipino troops in the exit call on the Polish commander at Camp Charlie in Babil, Iraq.

From there, Cimatu will lead the remaining troops to Kuwait where they will board a commercial flight for Manila.

The Philippine embassy in Kuwait is arranging their flight back to Manila. Their arrival time would be announced as soon as details are available, Albert said.

As of yesterday, there were 32 contingent members still in Iraq after two batches left following the abduction of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz. Some of the peacekeepers who earlier left are due home today, officials said.

The Iraqi militants holding De la Cruz said earlier they would release him by the end of the month, or upon the full withdrawal of the Filipino peacekeeping contingent.

The fate of De la Cruz has gripped the Philippines and brought President Arroyo squarely between conflicting domestic concerns — with the hostage crisis stoking emotional pleas for a pullout to save him, and her high-profile role as one of the strongest backers of Washington’s invasion of Iraq.

The Philippine government initially rejected the insurgents’ demand for an immediate pullout from Iraq but later issued ambiguous statements suggesting it was acceding, then started pulling out its 51-member contingent. The kidnappers said De la Cruz won’t be freed until the last Filipino soldier or policeman leaves Iraqi soil.

The 46-year-old De la Cruz was kidnapped July 7 near Fallujah while driving a truckload of fuel from Saudi Arabia.

The Philippine decision to withdraw its troops earlier than the scheduled Aug. 20 departure has been criticized by Manila’s allies, including the United States and Australia, which said it would encourage more terrorist acts and endanger other members of the US-led coalition in Iraq.

Manila’s decision to withdraw its forces dealt a blow to the US-led international contingent in Iraq, already weakened by Spain’s pullout following the deadly terror attacks on Madrid’s train system.

Thailand also announced earlier it has started the withdrawal of its 451 troops from Iraq at the end of their deployment, ignoring an appeal by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to delay the pullout beyond the end of September.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard had warned that giving in to terrorists’ demand would not help the Philippines buy immunity from attack.

Malacañang defended Mrs. Arroyo in her decision saying the pull out of the peacekeeping forces was not "cowardice, but served the country’s national interest."

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo made the decision to pursue the country’s national interest by saving the life of De la Cruz.

He said the pullout is part of efforts to stave off his execution by the Iraqi militants.

Lawmakers also defended Mrs. Arroyo saying she made the right decision to save the life of De la Cruz who has epitomized the typical Filipino worker trying to make an honest living abroad despite the risks.

"The Philippines cannot hope to keep its commitments to the international efforts in Iraq if it is unable to marshal critical support back home," administration Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.

"Any leader would recognize this fundamental tenet in governance," he added.

Pangilinan said the decision of the Philippines and other countries in pulling out their respective contingent forces will pave the way for a "no nonsense reexamination of the international effort to rebuild Iraq."

"While we understand the initial disappointment of some to the decision to pull out, we trust that this will soon be transformed into a deeper understanding and respect for out unique situation as a nation." he said. - with AP, AFP, Reuters reports