1 of 8
Seeing Mr de la Cruz on television after his release was an emotional moment for his family and friends

2 of 8
Preparations are already underway for his return home

3 of 8
Mr de la Cruz arrived in the Philippine embassy in Baghdad to be faced with swarms of journalists

4 of 8
His release was a triumph for Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, who made the difficult decision to pull her country's troops from Iraq in line with the kidnappers' demands

5 of 8
Mr de la Cruz was taken hostage on 7 July by an Iraqi militant group

6 of 8
There was intense pressure on Mrs Arroyo to save Mr de la Cruz's life. Family and friends held vigils...

7 of 8
...and protesters took to the streets of Manila pleading for the troops to come home

8 of 8
Around the world there is disquiet that President Arroyo has bowed to the kidnappers' demands. But in the Philippines, many question why their troops were in Iraq at all