Manila: Persistent Islamic militant threats has forced the Philippines Government to pull out of the war-ravaged Iraq. Islamic militants have threatened to execute a Filipino truck driver hostage.

Eight of the Philippines' contingent of 51 soldiers and police had already left the country, according to Foreign Secretary Delia Albert who read out a statement released by the presidential palace.

"The foreign ministry is coordinating the pullout of the humanitarian contingent with the ministry of defence," she said in the statement. "As of today, our head count is down from 51 to 43," she added.

It could be recalled that, militants kidnapped truck driver Angelo de la Cruz last week and threatened to behead the 46 year-old father-of-eight unless President Gloria Arroyo advanced the scheduled pullout of the contingent by one month.

According to unconfirmed sources, Manila had "no information" on the situation of the Filipino hostage after the expiry of the deadline set by the kidnappers.

The source said he could not confirm foreign television news reports that de la Cruz was about to be released.

The official said Manila was expected to announce later today the whereabouts of the eight members of the Filipino contingent, which had included 43 soldiers and eight policemen.

Arroyo had earlier said Manila would not advance the timetable of the pullout.