Aunt of Philippine hostage Anglode la Cruz touches him on TV.(Xinhua/AP Photo)

(Xinhua/AP Photo)

 
The relatives of the Filipino hostage De la Cruz jubilate after hearing the news of his release, July 20. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    BAGHDAD, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- A Filipino hostage who was threatened to be killed by his kidnappers if his country did not pull its troops out of Iraq was freed Tuesday morning near the United Arab Emirates Embassy.

    The UAE charge d'affaires Hammed Ahmed al-Shamisi said in a statement that "we were surprised when the Philippine hostage Anglode la Cruz was released in our embassy."

    The Philippine deputy foreign minister and charge d'affaires were in the UAE embassy and they agreed with the UAE embassy to transport de la Cruz to the United Arab Emirates to make medical check-ups.

    De la Cruz was dropped off by his kidnappers on a street corner outside the UAE embassy at 10:30 am (0630 GMT) and told to walk towards the building, the UAE diplomat told reporters.He denied any relation between his embassy and the kidnappers,stressing that his embassy is "a neutral party."He confirmed that de la Cruz will be sent to Abu Dhabi for a medical checkup within 24 to 48 hours.

    Al-Jazeera television aired Tuesday a videotape filmed by the kidnappers showed de la Cruz thanking the Philippine government for withdrawing its troops from the country in order to save his life.

    The TV said that the now freed hostage could be heard thanking his country's President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for withdrawing the 51 Philippine soldiers from Iraq.

    "He assured his family that he would return to them very soon,"al Jazeera said.

    The Philippine government eventually complied to the kidnapper's demand and withdrew its troops from Iraq as the last Filipino soldiers left their base Monday and crossed into Kuwait.

    The Philippines' decision has come under sharp criticism from its closest allies, including the United States, who said it would endanger other troops here.

    The Iraqi government warned Monday that the pullout would encourage terrorists. Insurgents have taken dozens of hostages in hopes of accomplishing their goals.

    De la Cruz, 46, was abducted before two weeks while driving into Iraq from Saudi Arabia by a group calling itself the Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade, linked to the militant Islamic Army in Iraq, who demanded the Philippine government to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Enditem