Philippines to pullout all troops from Iraq today

The change in foreign policy was made last week to save the life of truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, held hostage by Iraqi militants who threatened to behead him unless Arroyo recalled the contingent a month ahead of schedule.

The first batch of the 51-member contingent had already pulled out on Friday, and those remaining in Iraq are "finalizing the turnover of their responsibilities", Albert said.

President Gloria Arroyo's special envoy to the Middle East, Roy Cimatu, is to accompany them for an "exit call" to the new commander at Camp Charlie, in Iraq's Babil province on Monday.

"After the call, the remaining contingent will then proceed to Kuwait and from there return to Manila by commercial flight," she said.