Press Statement
8 July 2004
Reference: Ramon Bultron, Managing Director
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
Contact Nos. (852) 9477-3141 / 2723-7536

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should heed the call of Filipinos abroad for the immediate withdrawal of Filipino troops in Iraq

The latest alarming news showed an Al-Jazeera video with a Filipino abducted in Iraq and a threat that he would be executed unless the Philippines withdraws its troops from the country within 72 hours.

The kidnapped Filipino, according to the Al-Jazeera, is employed by a Saudi company working with US troops based in Iraq. He was kidnapped by an armed group calling itself the "Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade" linked to the "Islamic Army in Iraq".

Arroyo should put the interest of her countrymen over and above her loyalty and subservience to the United States. Her statement that the handover of sovereignty to Iraq would lessen violence against foreign nationals only shows her lack of moral ascendancy as the leader of the Philippines.

Three Filipino workers – Rodrigo Reyes, Raymond Natividad and Raul Carlos Flores - were killed in the past three months because of the Arroyo government’s gross negligence. How many more Filipino lives should be sacrificed?

Three Filipino soldiers, Ricnon Carolasan, Sgt. Negsur Betantos and Navy Cpl. Manuel Cajote, were also injured when Iraqi insurgents opened fire at their convoy in Iraq's southern province of Babil. Still the Philippines special envoy to the Middle East, Roy Cimatu, said he would recommend that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo keep Manila's small troop contingent in Iraq.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's statement that it would not soften its anti-terrorist stance amidst reports that the Philippines is number three in the Al-Qaeda hit list is not at all protecting the interest of Filipinos, particularly those working in the Kingdom and other Gulf and Arab countries.

So therefore, we reiterate our strong demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Filipino and foreign troops in Iraq and Immediate withdrawal of her support to the unjust and immoral US policy of war on terror and occupation of Iraq.

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