PHL gov’t repatriates 53 Filipinos from strife-torn Libya

DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose. Photo courtesy of filipino.cri.cn

MANILA –- Fifty-three Filipino workers were repatriated from strife-torn Libya amid continuing tensions in the North African state, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

The Filipinos, all employees of Korean company Doosan, are scheduled to arrive in two batches Wednesday in Manila.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the first group, composed of 20 Filipinos, will arrive at 4:30 p.m. on board Emirates Airlines Flight EK332, followed by the second batch of 33 workers at 10:10 P.M. via EK 334.

A total of 251 Filipinos have volunteered for repatriation, but 198 still remain in Libya.

The Philippine government raised crisis alert level 3 or voluntary repatriation in late May due to the worsening security situation. There is currently no functioning government in Libya.

Under this crisis level, all Filipinos are encouraged to leave Libya.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to remind our nationals in Libya to get in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli and volunteer for repatriation. The Philippine government will shoulder the repatriation costs,” Jose said.