MANILA, Philippines — In the face of peril, Filipinos in conflict-stricken Libya turn to singing “to forget the danger lurking nearby.”
In a photo shared by Chargé d’ Affaires Elmer Cato of the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli over Twitter on Tuesday, a group of Filipinos can be seen watching a fellow Filipino sing.
As artillery shells land just several miles away, Filipinos turn to singing to temporarily forget the danger lurking nearby. Only 55 of the more than 1,000 Filipinos in Tripoli have so far opted to return to the Philippines. The rest opted to stay. @phinlibya @teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/NQErye6Bv5
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) May 27, 2019
“As artillery shells land just several miles away, Filipinos turn to singing to temporarily forget the danger lurking nearby,” Cato said.
Meanwhile, for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. who was reacting to Cato’s tweet, the singing was not “to forget the danger but because every Filipino man thinks he can sing and will do it at every and any opportunity.”
Elmer, I know my people, I know myself. It isn't to forget the danger but because every Filipino man thinks he can sing and will do it at every and any opportunity. https://t.co/xNXpB6skhg
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 27, 2019
Since the fighting started on April 4, Cato noted that only 55 of the more than 1,000 Filipinos living and working and Tripoli have so far availed of the government’s offer of repatriation.
“The rest opted to stay,” he added.
The embassy has reiterated its appeal for Filipinos to consider returning home in the wake of the escalating tension in the north African country. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)