CBCP backs PRRD plan to send frigate to rescue Pinoy captives in Libya

FILE: Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of CBCP-ECMI. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) on Saturday expressed support to the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to send a frigate to help rescue three Filipinos who were kidnapped in Libya.

“Yes we support. South Korea did that. And likewise we should as to show our solidarity and we are serious for the freedom of Filipino abductees,” Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of CBCP-ECMI, said in a phone interview.

The Bataan prelate also urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to do their best and help rescue the kidnapped Filipino professionals.

“Every life is important, precious.

A single life is valuable. We at CBCP-ECMI appeal to our DFA to exhaust all means for the safe freedom of our three Filipino engineers abducted in Libya,” Santos said.

“Our OFWs, especially in Libya, have only best intentions to serve the country where they are in, and to be of help to their loved ones.

Our OFWs are peaceful and respectful to the laws and customs of those receiving countries,” he added.

The CBCP-ECMI head said they are continuously praying for the safety of the OFWs, and “we invoke our dear God for the change of hearts of their abductors to mend their ways and release their hostages.”

On Friday, Duterte said he is considering sending a ship to Libya, following the deployment of a warship of South Korea.

Media reports showed that three Filipinos and a South Korean national were abducted in an attack on a water project site in Libya on July 6.