Iraqi terrorists hold Filipino man hostage

Producer: Felix Tan
First broadcast: 8 July 04, Radio Singapore International

Iraqi gunmen, purportedly from a new group called the Iraqi Islamic Army, have threatened to kill a Filipino hostage unless the Philippines withdraws its troops from Iraq within 72 hours.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has ordered an immediate halt to any more Filipino workers going to Iraq.

Facing her first major test since winning a new term in office, Arroyo has held an emergency cabinet meeting to look into the militants’ demands.

But what steps can President Arroyo possibly take now to deal with the situation?

Felix Tan put this question to Mr Victor Andres Manhit (VAM), Assistant Professor at De La Salle University in the Philippines:

VAM: “It is quite hard to make an intelligent guess on the possible initiatives of the President regarding this hostage because it is really an extreme demand of, you know, removal of all Philippine military forces who are active in the humanitarian aspects of the Iraqi saga. So, it would be really hard considering it is a multilateral commitment by the Philippine government in helping or contributing in the rebuilding of Iraq. We are very active in the reconstruction and the rebuilding side of Iraq, not really on the military aspects. So, it would really be a hard decision for the President, really, to get out of the commitment they have given to the United States and even to the other countries who have contributed forces.”

President Arroyo has also announced measures to stop any more Filipinos from going to Iraq to work after this incident. Now, how will this affect ordinary Filipinos who are actually finding work in the Middle East or even in Iraq?

VAM: “It is really quite hard. Filipinos who have never perceived to be targets for extremist forces in the Middle East or even in Iraq would now be threatened by such kidnappings or even execution. That would affect a lot of Filipinos who are in the Middle East on their own seeking for better livelihood and what they have here in the Philippines. So, I think that will also guide and affect the decision of the President regarding the withdrawal of troops also.”

What is going to happen to those Filipinos who are already there… working there. What can the Philippine government do?

VAM: “I think the most that they can do is either… it is so hard to ensure the security, but I do not think they can get these people out - who went there on their own investment, who took the risk to find a job there and you know, just to give up a nice livelihood, not only in Iraq, but also in the other places in the Middle East - might not be an option for some Filipinos or for a majority of them there. It is really a hard situation. In the case of the government, on one hand, having this internal demands to protect Filipino citizens in the Middle East, specifically in Iraq, and even for some Filipinos there - who even at the height of the Iraqi invasion, did not attempt to leave Iraq - for fear of losing their livelihood.”

Such threats are, I would say, quite common in the Philippines following the Abu Sayyaf attacks not too long ago. So, how are ordinary Filipinos going to take this threat this time around - about beheading this Filipino hostage?

VAM: “I think, as of now, it is simply a news item for them. But an actual beheading will shock them; an actual beheading will show the weakness of the Philippine state to protect its citizens abroad. I think it remains to be seen right now. For a lot of Filipinos, especially for those with family members in that part of this world, they will fear for the safety of their family members, for the safety of their loved ones. But the reality of the livelihood keeps them there. The reality of earning a living for the family keeps them and really pushes them to stay in war-torn areas. Like the person that was kidnapped… considering that he works for a Saudi Arabian company and not directly part of any the US forces.”

President Gloria Arroyo has just been sworn in as the new Philippine President. Now, how will this actually affect her as the new President of the Philippines now?

VAM: “You know, for a President who got proclaimed and inaugurated amidst questions on her legitimacy, this is a challenge, which, I think, as President that is newly proclaimed, would not like to face. The people, the Filipinos who work in that side of the world, people we consider as overseas Filipino workers are part of a sector of society. The government has failed for quite some time. So, it is a challenge for her, really, to balance the commitment to the multilateral groups there and her commitment to the Filipino people - to protect its citizens here and abroad.”