PRESS RELEASE                                                                      
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                        *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph

SFA-DDA-431-04                                                                                                                                16 July  2004

MESSAGE OF DFA SECRETARY DELIA DOMINGO ALBERT

16 July 2004 - The Philippine government has recalled the head of the Philippine humanitarian contingent to Iraq.  He is leaving Iraq today with 10 members of the Philippine humanitarian contingent.

The rest of the members of the contingent will be out of Iraq shortly. Efforts continue to secure the safe release of Angelo and we are grateful to all those who are working with us to help reunite Angelo with his wife and eight children. END