Phl hopes Gadhafi's death will lead to normalcy in Libya

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines congratulated yesterday the Libyan people for their latest victory, the total liberation of Libya, after the death of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the fall of Sirte, his hometown, on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines hopes the latest development in Libya will lead to the immediate restoration of normalcy and peace throughout the country.

Gadhafi was apparently beaten up and executed by a mob of freedom soldiers after his convoy was hit by NATO forces, ending the fighting in Sirte and other cities.

“The Philippines hopes that the Libyan people’s aspirations for democracy will be fully realized and will yield peace, stability and prosperity for the country,” the DFA said in a statement.

The Philippines also reiterated its thanks and appreciation to the Libyan people for keeping Filipinos safe throughout the conflict.

“Many hope to return, work and contribute to the reconstruction and rebuilding of the new Libya,” the DFA said.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III also hailed the end of the regime of Gadhafi as he called for a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to a duly elected leadership that would uphold the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people.

“Even legends in fabled Libya come to an end. The inglorious death of Gadhafi, who wielded absolute power for more than four decades, should serve as an abject lesson for all would-be tyrants,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“With Gadhafi gone, the Libyan people now have the unique opportunity to commit themselves to democratic ideals and use their newfound freedom to unite all sectors.”

But while tension in Libya is expected to tone down with the death of Gadhafi, the relatives of 33-year-old Zenaida Labuguen, the loyal househelp of the Gadhafis holed in the country’s capital of Tripoli, are worried about the fate of their kin.

Last month, Labuguen refused to go with a team sent by the DFA to Libya to bring her back to the Philippines, along with three other Filipino domestic workers in the same household.

She cited the good treatment and working terms given by her employer, said to be the nephew of the fallen strongman.

She also told her husband Nicanor, who is in Cagabutan, Cauayan City, Isabela, that she may only be unemployed if she decides to come home.

When Nicanor again talked to his wife last week, she assured him that she was fine.

With the death of Gadhafi, however, Labuguen’s husband said they were afraid the emerging new council in Libya would vent retribution on the rest of the former leader’s family and relatives.

Nicanor added that on the eve of Gadhafi’s death, his wife had two missed calls to him. But when he tried to return the call, he was not able to contact her.

A local radio station, on the other hand, said they were able to contact Labuguen’s phone yesterday but the latter hung up, implying her refusal to talk with media. – With Raymund Catindig, Christina Mendez