DFA raises alert level, urges Filipinos in Libya to consider leaving amid fighting
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 08 Apr 2019 12:35:43 +0000
The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday raised Alert Level III in Libya and urged Filipinos in the capital Tripoli and nearby areas to consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes between rival factions.
This came a day after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. angrily refused to raise the alert level, saying that Overseas Filipino Workers there are opting to stay behind despite the looming danger.
In raising the Alert Level from II (Restriction Phase) to III (Voluntary Repatriation), the DFA cited its obligation to “ensure the safety and security of all Filipino nationals overseas.”
An official of the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli who earlier reportedly claimed that the situation in the capital was still calm finally gave in and recommended to raise the alert level.
This was due to the eventual escalation of the fighting that included the shelling of residential areas in the outskirts of the capital.
Alert Level III will cover Tripoli and areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital as follows:
To the east
- Tajoura
- Ghot Romman
- Qaraboli
- Qasr Khiyar
To the south
- Esbea
- Tarhuna
- Bani Waled
- Gharyan
To the west
- Aziziya
- Warshifana
- Zawia
- Surman
- Sabratha
With the declaration, the department said travel to Libya by Filipinos working in these areas will not be allowed until the situation in the country stabilizes and the alert level is lowered back to II.
Filipinos in areas near the fighting should move to safer areas or may request the embassy for assistance in their repatriation before the fighting intensifies.
According to the DFA, the embassy will remain open to respond to requests for assistance from Filipinos who might be affected by the fighting. (Roy Mabasa)