DFA reports first Filipino COVID-19 fatality in Libya

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Wednesday the first COVID-19 death among Filipinos in Libya.

In a tweet, DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said the department is working on immediately having the remains of the deceased Filipino back home.

Our @PhinLibya has reported the first Filipino fatality due to Covid-19. We are working to repatriate the remains the soonest amidst the ongoing conflict and border and travel restrictions in Libya. @DFAPHL extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. pic.twitter.com/OxuDgfLaw2

— Dodo Dulay (@dododulay) August 5, 2020

“We are working to repatriate the remains the soonest amidst the ongoing conflict and border and travel restrictions in Libya,” Dulay said.

“[The DFA] extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family,” he added.

In response to Dulay’s tweet, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. ordered the immediate repatriation of the Filipino’s remains.

“Oh God. Bring home ASAP. Our duty our small recompense to our poor countrymen abroad,” Locsin said.

Oh God. Bring home ASAP. Our duty our small recompense to our poor countrymen abroad. https://t.co/p4Qq1c104f

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 5, 2020

The latest figures from the DFA showed that 9,607 overseas Filipinos have so far contracted  COVID-19.

Of the total number, 3,233 Filipinos remain under treatment while 5,681 have already recovered. The DFA has so far reported 693 fatalities.

In the Philippines, there are so far 112,593 confirmed cases, 66,049 of which have recovered while 2,115 have died.

JPV