Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) The last troops of the small Filipino contingent have left their base in Hillah, south of Baghdad. With the departure of its last 22 soldiers today the Philippines' withdrawal from Iraq is completed. Six cars left the base this morning driving south. Filipino officers did not comment whether their direction was Kuwait.
The Filipino government decided to pull out its troops a few days ago to save the life of Filipino hostage Angelo de la Cruz as demanded by his captors, the "Khaled Ibn al Walid" Brigade which is affiliated with the "Islamic Army of Iraq." De la Cruz has been in their hands since July 7.
The US State department criticised the decision of the Filipino government saying that it would send the "wrong signal" to the terrorists, one of appeasement, at a time when "it is important for people to stand up to terrorism, not allow them to change our behaviour."