DFA: We have yet to locate 3 OFWs abducted in Libya

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose. AFP FILE PHOTO

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to locate the three Filipinos abducted by still unidentified men in an oil depot in Libya on February 3.

Speaking to reporters in a press briefing on Friday, DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said they have no information regarding the situation of the three abducted Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as the perpetrators were still unidentified.

“We are still determining the location of the three Filipinos and their situation because we haven’t identified the group behind the abduction,” Jose said.

He said the employers of the three OFWs have also not received any information regarding the abducted Filipinos.

He added that no ransom has been demanded from the Philippine government and even to their employers.

According to Jose, they have informed the next of kin of the victims but refused to disclosed the names of the OFW as requested by their families.

He assured the families of the victims that the Philippine government is “working for their safe release and eventually to the Philippines.”

Earlier reports from international media claimed that the three Filipinos together with some foreign nationals were killed in the attack.

But the DFA insisted the reports were unverified.

The DFA in an earlier statement said the Philippine Embassy in Libya was monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and security of overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the country.

The agency has raised crisis alert level 4 in Libya which means mandatory evacuation for Filipinos but about 4,000 OFWs have defied the order.