The Department of Foreign Affairs today released the following appeal of Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert for the safe release of Filipino OFW, Angelo de la Cruz, who is being held hostage by Iraqi militants:
 

The Philippines has a long history of working with the people of Iraq. Filipinos in the tens of thousands were in Iraq to help build its roads, bridges and other infrastructure. We have maintained our diplomatic presence in Iraq through our embassy in Bagdad, even under the most difficult of circumstances.

Little has changed in our desire to help the people of Iraq. Our Overseas Filipino workers have made a big difference in helping the people of Iraq.

At great risk to themselves, they have reached out to a large number of Iraqi communities and have helped them build classrooms, clinics, water and sewage facilities, electric transmission stations, among others.

They have provided health care and in several instances, even saved lives. They have helped bring hope and joy. They have formed bonds of friendship with the people of Iraq.

The Philippine Humanitarian Contingent, which some groups are demanding to be pulled out, never had and has never been given any combat role by the Philippine government. Their terms of reference were subject to close scrutiny by many sectors of Philippine society before their departure. Their terms of reference are clear – to provide only humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq.

In less than a year of deployment in Iraq, the Philippine Humanitarian Contingent has constructed 21 schools, 4 foot bridges, 3 public health centers, 2 multipurpose halls, repaired 11 water treatment tanks, built 2 kilometers of sewage system, and asphalted 12 kilometers of roads. They conducted 43 medical and civic action programs, treating more than 14,000 Iraqis and also distributed food and medicine.

The tradition established decades ago of helping the people of Iraq continues with the presence of Filipino civilian contract workers in Iraq. Many of them are in reconstruction projects, while others are helping provide basic services.

Mr. Angelo dela Cruz is part of that tradition. He wishes nothing more than an honest day’s wage to feed his wife and eight young children. He has not committed any acts of violence against the Iraqi people nor does he wish them ill. His life should be spared and he be allowed to be reunited with his family in the Philippines.

His death will not achieve any useful purpose. If those who hold him hope to promote their cause, compassion and mercy should be their guiding principle.  END