THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, April 8, raised Alert Level 3 anew for Filipino workers in Tripoli and nearby areas in Libya, urging them and their dependents to get repatriated as soon as possible in view of the escalation of factional fighting in that country.
"In view of the current situation in #Tripoli, the #Philippines Embassy reiterates its call for Filipinos working and living in the capital and nearby areas to consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated as soon as possible," the Philippine Embassy in Libya said in a tweet Monday.
The DFA has four alert levels: Alert Level 1 (precautionary); Alert Level 2 (restriction); Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation); and Alert Level 4 (evacuation/mandatory repatriation).
In an advisory issued Monday, the DFA cited its obligation to ensure the safety and security of all Filipino nationals overseas.
"The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli gave the recommendation to raise the Alert Level following the escalation of the fighting that included the shelling of residential areas in the outskirts of the capital," the advisory stated.
Covered by the voluntary repatriation phase are Filipino workers and their dependents in Tripoli and areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital as follows: Tajoura, Ghot Romman, Qaraboli and Qasr Khiyar to the east; Esbea, Tarhuna, Bani Waled and Gharyan to the south; and Aziziya, Warshifana, Zawia, Surman and
Sabratha to the west.
Filipino workers who are scheduled to return to these areas will not be allowed to travel "until the situation in the country stabilizes and the alert level is lowered back to II."
The department said Filipinos in areas near the fighting should move to safer areas or request the embassy for assistance in their repatriation before the fighting intensifies.
In a Facebook post after giving his recommendation to raise the alert level, newly appointed Charge d'Affaires En Pied Elmer Cato said a stray shell landed Sunday in the yard of the next door neighbor of a Libyan staff of the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, forcing him and his family to flee.
In another post, Cato said Filipinos who choose to stay must remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution.
"They must steer clear of areas where fighting is taking place and to move to safer locations if possible. Those who need emergency shelter are advised to call the Embassy for assistance," he said.
"Until the situation in Tripoli returns to normal, Filipinos here must restrict their movement and not venture out of their residences; stock up on food water and other provisions; and heed instructions of their employers," he added.
Cato also assured in his previous post that he and the rest of the embassy staff will not leave Tripoli.
"We will be staying here like the rest of you so we would be able to assist you if needed. Those of you who wish to return to the Philippines or need to move to a safer location should reach out to us as soon as possible. We are here to help," he added. (MVI/VoxPop Philippines)