Filipino maids flee Gadhafi’s kin, safe in Tunisia

Two Filipino maids employed by a nephew of deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi fled the house of their employer and have been evacuated by the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Philippine Ambassador to Tripoli Alejandrino Vicente said the two maids, Diana Jill Rivera and Mary Ann Ducos, escaped on Monday morning and were met by an embassy team waiting for them in two cars.

“They left the residence without bringing with them any of their belongings,” said DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez, quoting Vicente.

The embassy team brought the two maids to Tunisia where they are now waiting for their trip to Manila, Hernandez said.

“Diana and Mary Ann should be able to return to their families here within the week,” he said.

Meanwhile, two other Filipino maids, Zenaida Labugen and Racquel Dadang, who are working for another Gadhafi relative have chosen to remain in Libya.

“They have not expressed any desire to be repatriated. They do not fear for their safety. But they are both in contact with the embassy,” said Hernandez.

The DFA early this month said the embassy had made contact with the four maids and would assist in the “safe release” of the maids, whose location was not stated.

Late last month, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, claimed that the four maids were missing. With AP

Originally posted: 1:16 pm | Tuesday, September 20th, 2011