DFA to do ‘mop-up operation’ for OFWs in Libya

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said it will conduct a one-week mop-up operation in strife-torn Libya to accommodate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may decide at the last minute to go home. DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said they are targeting to evacuate some 240 Filipinos in Marsa Brega, a coastal area in Libya. “We will have a mop-up operation for those who still want to leave Libya. Our main mission has been accomplished, so we are [now] engaged in a mop-up operation," Malaya said in an interview on dzBB radio. For now, the department is eyeing a land exit for some 240 Filipinos still in Libya, the DFA spokesman said. The DFA had problems with some undecided Filipinos who asked to be repatriated then changed their minds when the Philippine teams arrived to fetch them. "Maraming nag-clamor for help pero pagdating minsan ng teams doon nag-dadalawang-isip (Many were clamoring for help but when the teams came, they change their minds)," he said. Another OFW batch arrives Another batch of repatriated OFWs — more than 170 people — returned home Sunday afternoon from Libya, according to dzBB report. The report said 171 OFWs onboard Air Arabia arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 3:45 p.m. Some three more chartered flights were due to arrive within the day, according to the report. On Saturday night, three more batches of OFWs returned from the South African country. They arrived onboard flights via Emirates, Royal Brunei, and Etihad Airways. Meanwhile, an earlier report said at least 500 OFWs who returned from Libya have availed themselves of the P10,000 financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. The Department of Labor and Employment, for its part, said the returning OFWs can avail themselves of job opportunities abroad or livelihood opportunities at home. — JE/VS, GMA News