Two icons

The case of Angelo de la Cruz will go down in history as a phenomenal episode in the long and still unending pathetic saga of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The volume of worldwide publicity focused on the story reminds one of the Sarah Balabagan case. Sarah was a teenage Filipino who was sentenced to die on the charge of murdering her Arab employer. But the Philippine government was able to negotiate her execution and return to the Philippines. She had at that time become a heroine.

But the case of Cruz has more implications than the prevention of his beheading by his captors.

His case had put newly-elected President Macapagal-Arroyo in a dreadful bind. Cruz’s captors had demanded the withdrawal of the Philippine mission team from Iraq before they would release him, and gave a deadline for the withdrawal. And this pressed the President between a rock and a hard place.

She was one of the first heads of state to answer American President George Bush’s call for support in the US intervention against terrorism – critics call it invasion – in Iraq. A 51-member contingent to the war-ravaged Middle East country was the smallest contingent sent by a member of the "coalition of the willing".

Two weeks ago, on July 7, Angelo de la Cruz, one of 4,200 Filipinos working in US military facilities in Iraq, was captured by Iraq fighters while he was driving a fuel truck near Fallujah, from Saudi Arabia. His captors threatened to behead him if the Philippines did not withdraw its contingent from Iraq.

The pressure on the President came from both sides. United States ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone jr. asked her to agree to withdrawing the Philippine contingent only after August, which had been the date set for the humanitarian contingent’s withdrawal from Iraq. Critics interpreted the ambassador’s reaction as reflective of the US government’s view of the withdrawal as the Philippines – reneging on its commitment to fight the war against terrorism.

But at home, the clamor, especially from political activists, was for the President to withdraw the troops now – to save the life of a hapless Filipino caught in the crossfire of political interests. It’s just one head to be saved against a possible vindictive move by a superpower, i.e., withdrawing or not granting economic concessions which the Philippine sorely needs. But saving one head means life for Macapagal-Arroyo. It would show her concern for the life of a poor Filipino truck driver – never mind if the Americans withdrew their support.

By deciding to take out her contingent, Macapagal-Arroyo has assumed the image of greatness. For that she is to be congratulated. She and Angelo have become icons.

Reports yesterday said the remaining members of the Philippine contingent will complete their pullout from Iraq yesterday, a full month ahead of schedule, as announced by Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert. They would make an "exit call" on the Polish commander of the international peacekeeping forces in Iraq yesterday morning to formalize their complete withdrawal from the command.

Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard warned that giving in to terrorists’ demands would "not help the Philippines buy immunity from attack".

Malacañang said the President’s decision to pull out the forces was "not cowardice, but served the country’s national interest".

Lawmakers also defended the President’s move. Sen. Francis Pangilinan said, "The Philippines cannot hope to keep its commitments to the international efforts in Iraq if it is unable to marshal critical support back home. Any leader would recognize this fundamental tenet in governance."

As of yesterday, no one knew when or what hour Angelo, father of eight, would be released. People who have knowledge of the workings of terrorists’ minds said they believe Angelo would be released as his captors had given word they would – after the withdrawal of the Filipino contingent.

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