Manila's cowardly act

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The Philippines is pulling its troops out of Iraq to try to satisfy terrorists who kidnapped a Filipino truck driver. Appearing on al Jazeera Arab television on Monday, Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis reassured the kidnappers, "In response to your request, the Philippines will withdraw its humanitarian forces as soon as possible." Manila's act of cowardice sets a dangerous precedent: It proves to terrorists that kidnapping and executing innocent civilians can successfully pressure governments to cave to their demands.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher was diplomatic when he said that the U.S. government is "disappointed" with the Philippine announcement "at a time when Iraq is fighting for stability and peace." Members of Iraq's new government were more to the point. "It will be read in Iraq in a very negative way," said Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie. "It will be giving in to terrorists." Acquiescing to terrorist demands obviously encourages more of the same activity, thus putting countless peacekeepers from all over the world in increased danger. It furthers instability in a country struggling to get back on its feet.

Manila's retreat is a slap in the face of President Bush, who has sent thousands of U.S. troops to the Philippines to help President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo combat al Qaeda-linked groups. The Bush administration has provided Manila with more than $400 million in aid, including $80 million this year alone. Several GIs have been killed in Philippine exercises since deployment two-and-a-half years ago. Withdrawing Filipino personnel from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq shows shocking ingratitude for the funds, military hardware and blood that Americans have devoted to fighting Philippine terror.

This is not Mrs. Arroyo's first time to waver in her support of the Bush administration's efforts to liberate Iraqis. In the lead-up the war, the Arroyo administration bizarrely announced that U.S. warplanes would be denied refueling or flyover rights during any attack on Iraq. The policy, which was changed one day later after Washington complained, was a pander to international anti-American sentiment, made evident by the fact that the Philippines and its airspace are not on the way to Baghdad.

It is unlikely that Mrs. Arroyo would have decided to pull Filipinos out of Iraq before being sworn into a second term two weeks ago. In a very close election, it was a political boost to have a prestigious and generous friend in President Bush. Now the campaign is over and she has a fresh six-year term. Unfortunately, her retreat in Iraq could have dangerous consequences at home. Philippine terrorists now have evidence that violence can win concessions from Mrs. Arroyo.