APD | Philippine government raises alert level III in Libya

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Apr.8(APD) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Alert Level III in Libya and called on Filipinos in Tripoli and nearby places to consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes between rival factions.

In a statement released barely an hour ago, the DFA explained from Alert Level II which means restriction phase to III meaning voluntary repatriation, the agency said it is expected to ensure the safety of all Filipino nationals overseas.

The raising of the alert level was based on the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli following the scalation of fighting that included 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 including Tajoura, Ghot Romman, Qaraboli and Qasr Khiyar to the east and Esbea, Tarhuna, Bani Waled and Gharyan to the south while Aziziya, Warshifana, Zawia, Surman and Sabratha to the south.

With the declaration, the Department of Foreign Affairs said travel to Libya by Filipinos working in the said area will not be allowed until the situation improves and the alert level is reduced to Level II.

Philippine Embassy officials led by newly-installed Ambassador Elmer G. Cato called on Filipinos residing in areas near the fighting should move to safer areas or request the embassy’s assistance in their repatriation before the fighting intensifies.

There were 20 permanent migrants and 73 temporary migrants in Libya as of December 31,2017.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)