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Angelo's Journey from Hostage to Home
Karen Grace Pascual, Jul 24, 2004
The Philippines was put into hot seat, as it became the next victim of extremists in Iraq. After the beheading of a Korean national, 46-year-old truck driver, Angelo de la Cruz is now the new hostage along with two other Bulgarians. His story unfolded before our eyes in the last two weeks. Local and international media closely watched as the Philippines played its cards and decided to save Angelo.
Despite several attempts of other countries to reverse her decision, the government decided to pull out its humanitarian contingent out of Iraq.
Filipinos have watched this hostage like a telenovela on its ending. Let’s look back once more and review probably the two longest weeks for Angelo de la Cruz.
July 07, 2004 (Wednesday)
Khalid bin Al-Walid has bared the newest hostage, Angelo de la Cruz, a truck driver from the Philippines. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in front of the Iraqi
They demand that the Philippine troops pull-out of Iraq. They have given the 72 hours before the deadline.
An emergency cabinet meeting in Malacanang
July 11,2004 (Sunday)
Government stays firm not to give in to the demands
The extremists extended the deadline up until 3 a.m. Monday and demanded that Philippines pull out the troops by July 20.
July 12, 2004 (Monday)
The extremists extended the deadline to another 48 hours.
Arsenia de la Cruz along with other officials head to Jordan.
July 13, 2004 (Tuesday)
The Philippine government changed its position and announced that it will pull-out the troops in Iraq.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis made an announcement of pull-out over the Arabic satellite channel, Al-Jazeera.
July 14, 2004 (Wednesday)
The United States was highly disappointed with the Philippine government’s decision. US Ambassador Francis Riccardione had a meeting with GMA in Malacanang.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert announces that Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and eight of the 51 troops of the Philippine’s humanitarian contingent have left Iraq
July 15, 2004 (Thursday)
Al Jazeera broadcasted another video of Angelo de la Cruz wearing black shirt. The video announced that the captors of Angelo would free him when the last Filipino leaves Iraq.
Officials supported GMA’s decision
July 19, 2004 (Monday)
The last of the Philippine troops left Iraq.
No news of Angelo de la Cruz
July 20, 2004 (Tuesday)
Angelo de la Cruz was released near the United Arab Emirates Embassy
Angelo met with his wife and relatives at Amman, Jordan
July 21, 2004 (Wednesday)
Angelo and his family arrives in the Philippines and was given a hero’s welcome.
Angelo de la Cruz was the common OFW who became the Philippine’s hero. He survived the hostage after many extended deadlines given by the extremists. Maybe it’s true what the militants told him after hugging him, that it is not yet his time. It is good to hear that he is in Mexico, Pampanga and celebrating with his friends and family.
We can say that this hostage tested GMA’s administration and her friendship with the US. It was big news because GMA is said to be one of the staunchest supporters of the US and then, this?
What’s more is that his story made the high-ranking officials re think our foreign policy. Right now, the government announced that the new foreign policy would focus on the welfare of OFWs. Something that should have been done years ago, when Flor was to be executed, when Delia was strangled and when Raul Flores died in a car bombing in Baghdad.
But the story won’t end just there.
More OFWs in the world will become virtual hostages of many political and international events. A former OFW told me that he thinks its unfair that Angelo gets that kind of benefits when a number of OFWs arrive home in sealed coffins or heavily traumatized by their former employers.
Furthermore, a few of us might know that the militant NPA has a prisoner as well. Lt. Ronaldo Fedelino has been captured since March and NPA demands that military operations be suspended in Bicol region.
The Angelo de la Cruz hostage hopefully opened a new book on how the government will treat OFWs. The focus on terrorism should never end in Iraq and continue in the southern Mindanao. GMA still has the 5 years and 10 months to complete her 10-point program. For now, let’s all sit back and pray for the Philippines.
Despite several attempts of other countries to reverse her decision, the government decided to pull out its humanitarian contingent out of Iraq.
Filipinos have watched this hostage like a telenovela on its ending. Let’s look back once more and review probably the two longest weeks for Angelo de la Cruz.
July 07, 2004 (Wednesday)
July 11,2004 (Sunday)
July 12, 2004 (Monday)
July 13, 2004 (Tuesday)
July 14, 2004 (Wednesday)
July 15, 2004 (Thursday)
July 19, 2004 (Monday)
July 20, 2004 (Tuesday)
July 21, 2004 (Wednesday)
Angelo de la Cruz was the common OFW who became the Philippine’s hero. He survived the hostage after many extended deadlines given by the extremists. Maybe it’s true what the militants told him after hugging him, that it is not yet his time. It is good to hear that he is in Mexico, Pampanga and celebrating with his friends and family.
We can say that this hostage tested GMA’s administration and her friendship with the US. It was big news because GMA is said to be one of the staunchest supporters of the US and then, this?
What’s more is that his story made the high-ranking officials re think our foreign policy. Right now, the government announced that the new foreign policy would focus on the welfare of OFWs. Something that should have been done years ago, when Flor was to be executed, when Delia was strangled and when Raul Flores died in a car bombing in Baghdad.
But the story won’t end just there.
More OFWs in the world will become virtual hostages of many political and international events. A former OFW told me that he thinks its unfair that Angelo gets that kind of benefits when a number of OFWs arrive home in sealed coffins or heavily traumatized by their former employers.
Furthermore, a few of us might know that the militant NPA has a prisoner as well. Lt. Ronaldo Fedelino has been captured since March and NPA demands that military operations be suspended in Bicol region.
The Angelo de la Cruz hostage hopefully opened a new book on how the government will treat OFWs. The focus on terrorism should never end in Iraq and continue in the southern Mindanao. GMA still has the 5 years and 10 months to complete her 10-point program. For now, let’s all sit back and pray for the Philippines.
