OFWs return from Libya with stories of harassment

A new batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Libya arrived home Tuesday afternoon with stories of being held up by men wearing police uniforms while still there.

One of the 24 OFWs interviewed by radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said the men took their mobile phones and other valuables.

"Naka-uniporme po... pagbaba [namin ng] sasakyan diretsong tutok ng baril sa amin. Wala kaming magawa kundi ibigay," said the OFW.

He said they were near the Philippine embassy at the time of the incident.

Even the female OFWs were searched, he said.

The 24 OFWs were part of the latest batch who left strife-torn Libya Tuesday afternoon. Last Sunday, 42 OFWs from Libya arrived in Manila while five more arrived early Monday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the repatriated OFWs are to be briefed and assisted by DFA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representatives at the airport.

The Philippine Embassy in Libya has started relocating its non-core staff to Tunisia.

"Due to the increasing violence and lawlessness in Tripoli, all non-core staff of the Philippine Embassy there are being relocated to Tunisia. Staff dependents were repatriated last week," it said.

Last July 20, the Philippine government raised the alert level in Libya to "4," citing the "extremely unstable" situation there. "Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine government undertakes evacuation of about 13,000 Filipino nationals there as soon as possible while no Filipino national will be allowed to travel to Libya," the DFA said.

Filipinos can contact the Embassy through the telephone numbers (00218) 918-244-208 / (00218) 911061166, and the e-mail addresses tripoli.pe@gmail.com; tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

Their relatives can call the DFA’s 24-hour hotlines at (02) 552-7105 and (02) 834-4685, or send queries by e-mail to oumwa@dfa.gov.ph. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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