President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday defiantly rejected criticism of her decision to withdraw Philippine troops from Iraq to save the life of a captive Filipino truck driver.

　　"The Philippines has no policy that demands sacrifice of human lives," Arroyo said in her fourth annual state of the nation address to the opening session of the new Philippine Congress.

　　The focus of the 40-minute speech was to flesh out plans for economic reforms aimed at easing the Philippines' wrenching poverty that has led nearly 10 percent of the population to seek work overseas.

　　But Arroyo opened by celebrating the release of hostage Angelo dela Cruz and insisting she was following her top policy priority - the safety of the overseas workers who drive the Philippine economy with their remittances.

　　"I cannot apologize for being a protector of my people," she said. "Sacrificing Angelo dela Cruz would have been a pointless provocation. It would have put the lives of 1.5 million Filipinos in the Mideast at risk by making them a part of the war."

　　The United States, Australia and other allies have sharply criticized Arroyo's pullout decision, saying it encouraged more kidnappings in Iraq and broke the Philippines' commitment to the US-led coalition there.

　　While the crisis clearly remains a concern, Arroyo said it had galvanized the Philippine public.

　　Arroyo presented five reform packages aimed at creating about 6 million jobs in the next six years, attracting foreign investment, fighting corruption, improving education and making the country less dependent on foreign energy.

　　(The Associated Press)