A top Philippine diplomat in Iraq has confirmed that a Philippine national has been kidnapped in the war-torn country.
Ricardo Endaya said today (Thursday) the confirmation came from diplomatic contacts in Iraq and Qatar. He did not elaborate.
Arabic satellite channel Al-Jazeera broadcast a video Wednesday that shows three armed men holding the Philippine national. The men threaten to kill him unless the Philippines withdraws its troops from Iraq within 72 hours.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo held an emergency Cabinet meeting today to discuss the kidnapping. No decision was made on troops.
Earlier, Ms. Arroyo suspended sending Philippine contract workers to Iraq because of the kidnapping.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.