Palace: DFA assessing ties with Libya's Gaddafi

The Philippine government has yet to make a stand on whether to cut ties with embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and to recognize the rebels trying to oust him. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs is still “evaluating and monitoring" the situation in Libya. “For now, the DFA has advised us to wait as it is still evaluating the monitoring the situation there," he said on government-run dzRB radio. He said the Palace will defer to the DFA’s monitoring and evaluation of the situation there. Besides, he said, the Philippine government’s priority now is to ensure the protection of overseas Filipino workers still staying there. The Philippines had upgraded the crisis alert level in Libya to “4," which entails mandatory evacuation and repatriation. “Ang mas mahalaga sa Pilipinas at DFA is the protection of our OFWs... marami pa tayong nationals sa Libya," he added. — LBG, GMA News