The $6 Million Cutthroat Payoff

Move over, Steve Austin. We apparently have a new six-million-dollar man.

A tip of the CVC to Michelle Malkin for her post on a possible additional clause to accompany the Philippine withdrawal from Iraq for the sake of hostage Angelo de la Cruz.

A ransom of $6 million was offered and paid out to the Iraqi rebels holding Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz hostage, to ensure his release before President Arroyo's scheduled State of the Nation Address on July 26, a high level Philippine intelligence officer told the Tribune yesterday. This offer was alleged to have been approved by the President herself, who then tapped Malaysian emissaries for the job, the intelligence officer, who asked for anonymity, said.

Of the $6-million payoff, $5 million was shouldered by Malaysia and $1 million by the Landbank of the Philippines, the officer added.

An Asian diplomat, also on condition on anonymity, held the view that this was a very “dangerous” move made by the Philippine government since Mrs. Arroyo has, by negotiating with terrorists on a financial recompense level, opened up the possibility of more kidnap groups in Iraq as well as in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East seeing the overseas Filipino worker as “easy prey” for them.

De la Cruz's whereabouts are unknown, with no words about his condition emanatin [sic] from the Arab TV al-Jazeera, although it is believed that he remains under the custody of the Iraqi rebels.

Fine, you've cowered before the threats of terrorists, surrendered to their demands and slipped them some green for their trouble. You think your people are safe now? Do we even know that de la Cruz is safe? What about the next time these scumbags need a little cash? Nice precedent.

EDIT: Mr. De la Cruz has been freed. One lucky man traded for who knows what kind of weaponry and logistics $6 million can finance.