Scores more Filipino workers return from Libya

Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Libya . (PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan)

After a three-day mass evacuation over land and by sea, over 400 Filipino workers arrived safely in the Philippines on Saturday.

The group – which included 10 children – arrived in Manila via chartered plane; which they boarded after they had been rescued out of strife-torn Libya from the port of Benghazi, from which they proceeded by ship to neighboring Malta.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement: “Our mission is to ensure the safety of Filipinos who are caught in dangerous situations abroad.

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A second chartered flight, this time carrying 347 workers who boarded the ship at the port of Misrata, was expected to arrive on Sunday, the department added; as it noted that this would bring the number of Filipino workers repatriated by the Philippine government from Libya over the last month to 2,727.

At the onset of the militia-related violence which has ripped through Libya’s main cities of Benghazi and Tripoli, a Filipino construction worker was abducted and subsequently beheaded, while a Filipina nurse was abducted and gang-raped, shortly thereafter.

The Philippine government’s called for a mandatory evacuation of its 13,000 nationals working in Libya, but many were hesitant to leave, for fear of lack of employment back home.

Despite warnings from Manila that the  ship which sailed out of Libya on Thursday would be the last one sent by the Philippine government, the vessel left with its capacity only half-filled.