Angelo gets last paycheck from Saudi employer

Former hostage Angelo de la Cruz has received his last paycheck from his Saudi Arabian employer who had hired him to drive a truck across the border into Iraq.

A check for P33,000 was handed yesterday to De la Cruz through the efforts of the Philippine embassy in Baghdad and the office of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Jose Brillantes.

De la Cruz was also given a compilation of newspaper articles about his ordeal in the hands of his captors.

De la Cruz was seized by Iraqi rebels while he was driving a truck through Iraq from Saudi Arabia, along with a convoy of supply-laden trucks.

He was held hostage until July 20 when the last member of the Philippine humanitarian contingent had pulled out of Iraq on orders of President Arroyo, as part of a deal with the rebels for his release.

Upon his return home, the government and the private sector gave De la Cruz a house and lot, cash gifts, scholarship for his children, and other perks.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, De la Cruz said he thanks God, Mrs. Arroyo, and members of Team Iraq who had worked for his freedom.

"Inuulit ko po, hindi po ako mayaman na tao at hindi ko po inaasahan na tatanggap ako ng pera sa ating Pangulo o sa gobyerno dahil sapat na ang buhay ko na iniligtas nila," he said, indicating he never expected monetary rewards because his saved life was enough to be thankful for. — Marvin Sy