year-old accountant, was abducted with an American and other employees of a Saudi Arabian company in Baghdad on November 1. Philippine diplomats have been holding negotiations with Tarongoy's abductors through his company. "We continue to pray for his safe deliverance," Brillantes said. In July, the Philippines imposed a ban on deployment of new workers to Iraq after a Filipino truck driver was abducted and threatened with execution by Islamic militants. The hostage, Angelo dela Cruz, was freed unharmed after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered a pull-out of Filipino troops from Iraq, despite sharp criticisms from the United States, Australia and other anti-terror allies.
