THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on late Tuesday called on Filipino nationals in Libya to immediately leave the crisis-torn country as the security situation there is expected to worsen.
In a statement, the DFA said it would be best if Filipinos would avail of the voluntary repatriation program of the government placed after the raising of Crisis Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation) in Libya.
"In view of the increasingly volatile security situation in Libya, the Department of Foreign Affairs advises all Filipino nationals in Libya to leave the country immediately," said the DFA.
For Filipinos who wish to avail themselves of voluntary repatriation, the DFA said they can immediately contact the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli through the hotline number (+218) 918244208; telephone number (+218-21) 483-3966; and e-mail addresses: tripoli.pe@gmail.com;tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph.
Also, the Embassy's address is KM 7 Gargaresh Road, Abu Nawas, P.O. Box 12508, Tripoli.
The DFA said it is already dispatching a four-person team to Libya within the week to augment the Rapid Response Team and the Embassy personnel stationed in Tripoli.
"The team will be tasked to provide regular updates to the DFA home office, as well as to coordinate with the Filipino community, the employers, and Libya officials and to facilitate the repatriation efforts," DFA said.
Similarly, the department has also activated a 24-hour hotline number (02) 552-7105 / (02) 834-4685 for families of Filipinos in Libya as well as e-mail address oumwa@dfa.gov.ph for queries.
DFA records show that there are around 13,000 Filipinos currently living and working in Libya. (HDT/Sunnex)