MANILA, Philippines — Eight Filipino nurses were rescued in Libya after the clash had moved “dangerously close” to them, the Philippine Embassy said.
The Philippine Embassy said the nurses were rescued on Thursday afternoon from a clinic “very near where intense clashes have been taking place.”
In a separate Facebook post, Chargè d’ Affaires Elmer Cato said “heavy weapons and small arms fire was intense near their area” and that there were reports of airstrikes which led to several casualties.
“We left the Embassy in three vehicles. Along the way we encountered several pickup trucks with mounted heavy weapons, including one with rocket launchers, headed towards the frontline,” Cato recalled.
“The main highway was blocked and only fighting vehicles were allowed to pass through. We were forced to take the side streets to reach the clinic,” he added.
When they arrived, Cato said they were welcomed by four of the eight nurses who told them that the remaining four were not coming with them.
The remaining four nurses insisted to stay but later decided to join after being convinced by the government officials, Cato said.
“We just cannot leave them behind. And convince them we did. After 10 minutes, we went down with the other four and whatever luggage they could carry,” Cato said.
Cato said the eight Filipino nurses were brought to the embassy.
Following the rescue operations, the Philippine Embassy reiterated its call for Filipinos in Tripoli to evacuate from areas near where fighting is taking place to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Cato said the embassy is ready to assist affected Filipinos as long as the “situation on the ground would allow its rescue teams to reach them.”
Assistance will also be provided to those who wish to be repatriated back to the Philippines, Cato said.