People lit candles and held prayer vigils Friday for the safe return of a Filipino truck driver in Iraq, but the government’s decision to withdraw its peacekeeping contingent to obtain his release drew criticism abroad. The decision has alienated President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s allies in the war on terror, including the United States, who worry that meeting a terrorist demand sets a bad precedent. But with 7 million Filipinos working overseas, including 1.4 million in the Middle East, saving the life of Angelo dela Cruz has become an emotionally charged issue that Arroyo couldn’t ignore.Full Story
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