PHL, IOM map out safe routes for Pinoys fleeing Libya

Philippine officials and the International Organization for Migration are mapping out safe routes and contingency plans for Filipinos wishing to be repatriated from Libya, amid the renewed threat of fighting and violence there. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said a crucial part in the repatriation process is bringing the Filipinos from the pickup point to the port where the IOM-chartered ship will be waiting. "Pinag-aaralan 'din yan ng ating embahada at IOM. Kung sa pag-alis nila may bakbakan at sagupaan sa lansangan ng Tripoli, baka delikado ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the IOM had arranged for its chartered ship to wait for the repatriates, including Filipinos, at the Port of Tripoli. From Tripoli, the IOM-chartered vessel is to bring the foreigners to Alexandria (Egypt). From there, the Filipinos can take a flight to Manila, he said. So far, Hernandez said at least 91 Filipinos have signified interest in repatriation, even as the Philippines has secured 400 seats in the IOM-chartered vessel. But he said many of some 1,600 Filipinos still in Libya do not want to leave. He said most of them are medical workers who are "faithful to their vocation." Don't venture outside Meanwhile, Hernandez advised Filipinos in Libya to stay in their homes or workplaces and not to venture outside while the fighting is going on. "Ang aming advice sa kanila, manatili sila sa kanilang tahanan at workplace, huwag labas ng labas kahit sa ngayon na parang tapos na labanan. We want them to be safe in their houses and workplace and wait for advice from the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli," he said. In a separate interview on dwIZ, Hernandez said food and water supplies are not yet a major concern at least for now. He cited reports reaching him indicating the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli and even many hospitals in Libya had stocked up on food and water supplies. "I understand ang Embassy personnel natin doon ay naka-store ng pagkain bago sumiklab itong bakbakan in the past few days. Ganoon din yata ang mga kababayan natin sa mga hospital, they have sufficient food and drink na naimbak nila in the past days. So for now mukhang hindi natin concern yan dahil nakapaghanda sila," Hernandez said. — LBG, GMA News