Philippine officials in the Middle East are seeking possible extension for the 72-hour deadline set by the kidnappers of a Filipino truck driver in Iraq.

Officials are talking to the Iraqi Islamic Party as they began exploring all diplomatic avenues to free Angelo de la Cruz held hostage by Islamic militants, the ABS-CBN news channel reported Friday.

The religious group successfully intervened on the Philippines'behalf to free Francisco Pagkalinawan, another Filipino truck driver kidnapped by Islamic militants earlier this year.

Officials are also talking to Ahmed al-Sheik, editor in chief of al-Jazeera TV where the video of de la Cruz with his captors came from, the report said.

Field correspondents of al-Jazeera reportedly have direct contact with the group holding de la Cruz.

Cruz's militants threatened to behead him unless the Philippines withdraws its 51-member humanitarian element from the country within 72 hours, according to the video broadcast on Al-Jazeera television Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Philippine presidential palace are still waitingfor the recommendation on the demanded pull-out of the Philippine troops from Roy Cimatu, head of Middle East Preparedness Team which is tasked to look after the welfare of Filipinos in the Middle East.

The family of de la Cruz has appealed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to give in to the demands of the Iraqi hostage-takers. Cruz was apparently abducted on Wednesday after crossing the Saudi-Iraqi border.

In light of the latest hostage reports, the Philippine government Thursday ordered an immediately halt to the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Iraq.

The Philippines, which has been firm alliance with the United States in Iraqi reconstruction operations, insisted to stay its humanitarian contingents in Iraq even after several Filipinos werekilled in separate attacks there.

Source: Xinhua