Alert level 4 raised in Libyan capital of Tripoli, selected areas —Locsin

The Philippine government on Wednesday announced that is enforcing mandatory evacuation of Filipino workers in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and other conflict-torn areas within its 100-kilometer radius due to worsening security situation in the North African state.

Libya was placed under Alert Level 4 by the Department of Foreign Affairs after a number of Filipinos suddenly found themselves in the middle of fierce fighting in Tripoli.

Under this security warning, all Filipinos there are asked to leave and join the ongoing evacuation being offered by the Philippine government.

More than 1,000 Filipino workers are still in Libya.

"The current situation on the ground could no longer guarantee the safety and security of Filipinos who chose to remain," the DFA said in a statement.

Apart from Tripoli, other areas covered by alert level 4 are: Tajoura, Ghot Romman, Qaraboli, Qasr Khiyar, Esbea, Tarhuna, Bani Waled, Gharyan, Aziziya, Warshifana, Zawia, Surman and Sabratha.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also mentioned the raising of the alert level in a tweet on Wednesday.

Yesterday informed President that I raised the Alert Level to 4 in Tripoli + 100 kms around. More mortar fire, more Filipinos hurt. AL 4 is mandatory evacuation but we cannot compel—and rightly so. What is mandatory is that DFA stays in Tripoli until last OFW goes—& then it stays

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 1, 2019

Locsin admitted that even though alert level 4 means mandatory evacuation, they cannot compel Filipinos to evacuate.

"What is mandatory is that DFA stays in Tripoli until last OFW goes—& then it stays," he said.

Locsin also appealed to Filipinos still in Tripoli to seriously consider repatriation before the situation escalates further.

He also called on their families in the Philippines to convince their relatives in Tripoli to accept the repatriation offer before it’s too late.

Manila's decision to elevate its security alert warning highlights the worsening bloodshed on Libya, which is in a state of civil war.

Two Filipinos were recently wounded in attacks on several hospitals and residential areas near Tripoli.

Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato said the fighting in the outskirts of Tripoli will also soon make it difficult for the embassy to respond to urgent requests for assistance from distressed nationals.

With the declaration of Alert Level 4, Cato said the embassy will redouble its efforts in persuading Filipinos to go home.

Despite repeated appeals from the Philippine government to leave, many Filipino held on to their jobs in Libya despite the widespread violence, citing lack of economic opportunities back home.

Intense fighting 

Fighting became more tense on Monday as the Libyan National Army, the forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, continued efforts to capture Tripoli, the capital of Libya.

An armed group attacked El Sharara oilfield, the largest oilfield in the country, on Monday, but guards repelled them, Reuters reported.

Residents said shelling was heard in the center of Tripoli from the southern districts from morning until late at night. 

According to an official of the World Health Organization, 345 people have died, of whom 22 are civilians, so far due to the fighting.

Russia and Turkey on Tuesday called for a ceasefire in Libya and the renewal of a political process under the aegis of the United Nations, the Kremlin said, as reported by Reuters. —KBK/KG/RSJ, GMA News