6 OFWs missing in Libya to go home

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday it is set to bring home six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) earlier reported missing in strife-torn Libya.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario led the repatriation efforts to bring home five nurses and an engineer trapped in Misurata for 23 days. He has so far successfully repatriated 34 OFWs from Tripoli and Misurata.

On instructions of Del Rosario and with the consent of the Libyan Foreign Ministry, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis picked up the six OFWs in Zitlin, the town closest to Misurata.

They will join 28 others, including nine nurses recently brought out of Tripoli through the Tunisian border, making a total of 34 more Filipinos who will fly out of Djerba today.

Accompanied by Seguis and Ambassador Alejandrino Vicente, Del Rosario was stopped in Misurata by Libyan government forces from proceeding to an area where heavy fighting was taking place.

The DFA said it was the third time Del Rosario had gone to Libya since the war against Libyan dictator Muamar Gadhafi broke out.

The first was last Feb. 25, when he led a group of over 400 Filipinos to Tunisia, while the second was last March 22 when he made a final call for Filipinos to leave Libya and accompanied 33 Filipinos out of Tripoli.

Before going to Misurata, Del Rosario met with two Libyan ministers to make representations for the safety and welfare of Filipinos.

During his meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister Adelati Obeidi, Del Rosario sought help in reaching about 100 Filipinos in Misurata and bringing out of the country those who wish to leave.

Del Rosario left Libya Tuesday and returned to Manila last Saturday.