Romulo rules out sending new troops to Iraq in near future

The Department of Foreign Affairs has ruled out the possibility of sending a new humanitarian contingent to Iraq in the near future.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said discussions about a troop deployment would be premature at this time.

"It’s too early to talk about this. I don’t foresee in the near future that it will be considered," he told a press briefing.

The issue was raised after Romulo’s predecessor, Delia Albert, had indicated that a new contingent may be sent early next year after a permanent Iraqi government is installed.

However, Albert has since denied the possibility of sending a new contingent even as one of her assistants said it may be considered but only under the aegis of the United Nations.

Lauro Baja, Manila’s envoy to the UN, has indicated that any new troop deployment would still be under the US-led coalition of nations that have troops in Iraq.

President Arroyo has ruled out an early return of Filipino troops to Iraq, saying it was not under consideration.

After initially standing firm, Mrs. Arroyo withdrew the contingent ahead of schedule to save the life of truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, who was taken hostage by Iraqi militants.

The guerrillas threatened to behead De la Cruz if the humanitarian contingent was not pulled out by July 20. He was released unharmed.

However, Mrs. Arroyo’s decision was criticized by the United States and other allies, which said it would embolden terrorists.

Mrs. Arroyo defended her decision, saying it was consistent with the country’s national interest. But she quickly reassured allies of her commitment to the US-led global war on terror to soothe ruffled ties with Washington.

The continuing violence in Iraq has prompted the Philippines to temporarily ban Filipino workers from entering the war-torn country to keep them out of harm’s way.

Vice President Noli de Castro, Mrs. Arroyo’s adviser on issues concerning Filipino migrant workers, said the ban will stay until the situation in Iraq improves.

"I’m waiting for the recommendation of government agencies involved here to study whether or not to lift the ban. Before we deploy again we need to wait for proper advice," De Castro told reporters.

About 4,000 Filipinos currently work in US military facilities throughout Iraq.

The decision to keep the ban was prompted by an attack by Iraqi guerrillas that wounded engineer Danilo Pacia.

Pacia sustained gunshot wounds and three of his companions, an Indonesian and two Iraqis, were killed when their vehicle came under attack near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday.

About 3,000 Filipinos seeking jobs in Iraq protested against the ban on Friday, saying they were willing to risk their lives than face joblessness and hunger at home.

Romulo for Baja

Meanwhile, Romulo has backed Baja’s retention as Manila’s envoy to the UN. He said Baja has been doing well and to replace him would send a wrong signal to the international community.

Several lawmakers have also urged Mrs. Arroyo, who has made sweeping changes in her Cabinet, to keep Baja.

"Ambassador Baja is certainly doing a good job in the Security Council, so that should be taken into account," Romulo said, adding he would take it up with the President.

Baja successfully led the Philippines’ bid for a seat in the UN Security Council, the international body’s most powerful panel.

Mrs. Arroyo, of course, has the last say on Baja, Romulo said. "We all serve at the pleasure of the President. The President knows where each one of us should fit."

Romulo himself was included in the cabinet shakeup, in which he was replaced as executive secretary and given the foreign affairs portfolio.

Albert would be given a "responsible post," Mrs. Arroyo recently told reporters during a visit to Cebu. She did not elaborate. — With Pia Lee-Brago