No Filipinos hurt in Libya clashes – DFA

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in Libya are safe amid the latest round clashes, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

“Tensions from the clashes in southern Tripoli have disappeared as the situation in Tripoli has returned to normal. No Filipinos were among the casualties in the latest clashes,” DFA said in a statement.

The DFA also cautioned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya to avoid areas where there are clashes and move to other districts in Tripoli.

“Thus, OFWs should exercise utmost care to flee from areas of clashes wherever they take place because of risk of crossfire and indiscriminate shelling,” the department said.

“The safest place to stay during clashes is indoors. It is best to anticipate clashes and to move to another city district of Tripoli outside the reach of shelling before the clashes begin,” DFA added.

DFA also warned the Filipino medical staff at the Esbea hospital where an alleged drug addict has been posing as a militia man to get pain killers and other anesthetics.

“During the latest clashes in Esbea, nurses at the ICU of Esbea Hospital reported that an unknown man in gown asked for Panadol (pain reliever) and other anesthetics and pain reliever. According to the nurses, he must have been a drug addict posing as a militia man and wearing a medical gown,” DFA said.

“Our Filipino medical staff should be aware that there are also armed attacks on hospitals,” the Department added.  /muf