Philippine President Gloria Arroyo says a Philippine hostage in Iraq has been released after nearly eight months in captivity.
Ms. Arroyo announced Wednesday, that Roberto Tarongoy is in the custody of Philippine diplomats in Baghdad and that arrangements are being made for him to return home.
President Arroyo did not provide further details.
Mr. Tarongoy, who worked for a Saudi firm, was abducted in early November along with an American colleague, Roy Hallums, whose fate remains unknown.
Last year, the Philippines pulled out its small military contingent from Iraq, after a Philippine truck driver was kidnapped. The truck driver was later released.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.