After initial indications that the Filipino hostage had already been freed or would be freed quickly after the Philippine government’s abject surrender to jihadist demands, the jihadists are slowing down the process. They want to make sure that the Filipinos carry out their part of the bargain before they carry out theirs. From CNN, :
(CNN) — Militants holding a Filipino hostage say they will free him when “the last Filipino leaves Iraq on a date that doesn’t go beyond the end of this month,” according to a statement read by the Arabic-language news network Al-Jazeera.
The statement was broadcast Thursday shortly after Al-Jazeera had shown video of the Filipino trucker reported that he will be returning home.
Images of Angelo de la Cruz, a 46-year-old trucker, were seen but his voice was not heard, with an anchor reading his purported message.
The news reader said de la Cruz had sent a message to the Philippines president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, thanking her for her decision to withdraw troops and sticking to that decision.
He also sent a message to his wife and family saying he is OK and “wait for me, I’m coming back to you.”
He was not wearing the orange jumpsuit hostages frequently are seen wearing. Instead, he was wearing civilian clothing and looked like he was in good shape.