"the government's decision was braver and nobler than the expected macho stance of standing up against the hostage takers"

     In the past few days, critics from different countries, especially those allied to the U.S., have hurled contemptuous words such as weak, vacillating, cowardly against Filipinos and their government for complying to the demands of Iraqi terrorists who have threatened to behead Angelo de la Cruz, native of Mexico, Pampanga, if the Philippines does not withdraw its humanitarian contingent immediately.

     This name-calling might have influenced some Filipinos but most of them have, in one way or another, expressed their feelings to let Angelo live. This spontaneous support has overcome the bitter division caused by the recent elections, leapt over the usaual barriers of ethnicity, regionalism, faith, ideological and socio-economic differences, and confirmed the Filipinos' appreciation for what OFWs are doing to their country.

     To them, Angelo is neither just another truck driver whose life is insignificant compared to the benefits we receive as America's staunchest ally in Asia nor just a mere pawn to be sacrificed so that America's weakening allied support will not start to crumble.

     To Filipinos, Angelo symbolizes a father, a son, a brother who ventured out of the country to improve the lives of his family. He is no longer a mere worker but a personification of a brave and reliable OFW who enters the most perilous place to fulfill his task.

     Initially the Philippine governmentseemed to have hesitated in making this significant decision. And who would not? If found itself, as Secretary Bunye jokingly said, between "Iraq (a rock) and a hard place". The government had to choose between U.S. economic support and the Filipino citizens' high esteem for human life.

     Aside from the public clamor, recent events seemed to have influenced the government's decision. Fresh in the minds of the decision-makers was the recent deaths of an American and a Korean who were executed due to their governments non-acceptance of the militants' demands. The two countries' hard stance seemed to be fruitles since the terroristic attacks against and the kidnappings of foreign nationals and even against their countrymen have not abated.

     Also the revelations that President Bush betrayed the trust of U.S. allies by misleading information and, despite the non-support of the U.N. due to lack of evidence, led the Coalition of the Willing (including the Philippines) to wage war against Iraq. Thus, with the thruth revealed, the war against Iraq has lost its moral premise for the Philippines to keep supporting the U.S.

     The uninformed, the ignorant or even the bigots, including the joker Jay Leno, don't realize that the government's decision was braver and nobler than the macho stance of standing up against the hostage takers. The decision was painful to Filipinos because it meant turning their backs to a military ally and a long time friend.

     Moreover, the decision may not be practical because it could mean lessening of U.S. support to the Philippines which presently depends on borrowing to lessen its budgetary deficit. It could also mean a narrower market for its products which is largely dependent on American consumers.

     But if man does not live by bread alone so a nation too must not only make a stand on the basis of money and wordly interests. In crucial times, its decision must be guided by the collective and more noble feelings of its people and in this moment the respect for human life.

     In time, I hope that those countries or critics who have been pelting the Philippines with the brickbats realize the dilemma that confronted the Philippines in choosing to save the life of Angelo. Realizing their mistakes, they then should turn their arms to the present leaders responsible for the carnage that is taking place in Iraq. These leaders should be driven out of office and replaced with new, saner and more mnoral leaders.

     It is my prayer that once again the deep faith Filipinos on the Almighty shall prevail over chauvinisim and be appreciated by the other peace-loving citizens of the world. Thus, learning from this event, more powerful nations shall give the weaker ones freedom to step to their own cadence in their march towards self-rule and democracy.

     Meanwhile, I urge OFWs in Korea who are more fotunate to be working in a more peaceful country, to count and share their blessings with other OFWs. YOU can do this by writing to your national leaders to show your support for their decision and by offering prayers to those who, like Angelo, are situated between "Iraq or a hard place".