Mandatory repatriation possible if intense fighting continues in Libya

FILE: Minister Elmer G. Cato delivers the Independence Day message of Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo in front of Embassy officers and staff during the flag raising ceremony in commemoration of the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence. (Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)

MANILA — The declaration of alert level 4 or mandatory repatriation phase in Tripoli and its surrounding areas is seen if fighting in the capital’s outskirts continues to intensify and threaten to endanger the welfare of Filipinos, a ranking official said Monday.

“In situations like this, Alert Level 4 is always in the equation. If the fighting continues to escalate and exposes more of our people to danger, we may be compelled to recommend raising the Alert Level to 4,” Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato said in a text message.

As of this posting, the Embassy has not yet recommended the declaration.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently raised the crisis alert level in Tripoli from 2 to 3 or voluntary repatriation phase following tensions in the Libyan capital that started early this month.

At present, the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar continue to push toward the capital since it started its offensive.

Around 1,000 Filipinos are residing and working in the Libyan capital, but of this number, only 40 sought to be repatriated to the Philippines.

“This morning, we evacuated four more kababayan of ours from Tripoli. This brings to 11 the number of Filipinos we have escorted out of the Libyan capital since intense fighting broke out in the outskirts,” Cato shared.

The two female nurses and their husbands, who are all from Taguig City, have crossed the Libya-Tunisian border accompanied by Director Iric Arribas of the Office of Migrant Affairs.

Fifteen other Filipinos working at a carpet factory near where fighting is raging also contacted the Embassy to express their desire to return home.

According to them, the cost of their repatriation will be shouldered by their employer but they are requesting the Embassy to shoulder the cost of their onward travel by air to their respective provinces.

A nurse from Gharyan also came to the Embassy to seek help in getting him home.

“The Embassy will evacuate these remaining 29 Filipino workers as soon as we secure their exit clearances from Libyan authorities,” Cato assured.

‘Many insist to stay’

Despite the jump in the number of those who want to go home, Cato said majority of the Filipinos in Tripoli and surrounding areas still want to stay in Libya. These are mostly nurses, including around 50 at the Masarra Clinic.

“Our nurses at Masarra told us their decision to stay in Tripoli is not all about money. It is also about giving back,” he said.

One senior nurse told them: “Our Libyan employer treats us like we are part of his family. Staying here is one way for us to thank him for his kindness.”

“As she was telling us this, we could hear the faint sound of thunder in the background. But it was not thunder. It was the sound of the artillery exchanges from the fierce battle that was raging just a few kilometers from where we were,” Cato said.