Philippines raises alert level 3 in Libya

April 8, 2019

The Philippine government on Monday raised crisis alert level 3 in Libya, urging Filipino workers to avail of voluntary repatriation.

Filipinos in capital of Tripoli and nearby areas should consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of clashes between rival factions, the Department of Foreign Affairs  (DFA) said in a statement.

At least 4,000 Filipino workers are in Libya, which is in a state of civil war.

"The Philippine embassy in Tripoli gave the recommendation to raise the alert level following the escalation of the fighting that included the shelling of residential areas in the outskirts of the capital," it said.

Alert Level 3 covers Tripoli and areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital:

To the East 1. Tajoura 2. Ghot Romman 3. Qaraboli 4. Qasr Khiyar

To the South 1. Esbea 2. Tarhuna 3. Bani Waled 4. Gharyan

To the West 1. Aziziya 2. Warshifana 3. Zawia 4. Surman 5. Sabratha

"With the declaration, travel to Libya by Filipinos working in the said areas will not be allowed until the situation in the country stabilizes and the alert level is lowered back to 2," the DFA said. DMS