More than 700 OFWs return home from Libya

The Philippine government successfully repatriated more than 700 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya. The OFWs arrived flew back to the Philippines in two batches, with the first one arriving Saturday night, and the second arriving Sunday.

According to a Monday report on GMA 7's “24 Oras”, the Philippine government had arranged for the OFWs to be first taken by ship from Libya to Malta. From Malta, the OFWs were then flown to the Philippines on chartered flights.

However, an OFW, identified as Rodrigo Andres, did not to fly home, and supposedly, decided to stay in Malta.

The Philippine government has apologized to Maltese authorities over the matter, and promised to cooperate in the investigation.

The repatriation of the more than 700 OFWs from Libya cost the Philippine government around P80 million.

Ever since fighting between rival factions broke out in Libya in May, around 3,000 Filipinos returned to the Philippines, according to the DFA.

However, there are around 10,000 OFWs who decided to stay and continue working in Libya.

The DFA reminded the OFWs still in Libya that border repatriation through Tunisia continues. Egypt has also opened its borders for Filipinos who want to flee Libya.

A chartered flight is currently being arranged for Filipinos who are in Tunisia, the DFA added.

The DFA raised alert level 4, or a mandatory evacuation warning, over Libya because of the unstable political and security situation.

Last month, a Filipino construction worker was beheaded and a Filipina nurse was gang-raped in Libya. — Trisha Macas/DVM, GMA News

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