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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
MANILA, July 3 (APD) – The Department of Foreign Affairs called on Filipino nurses and other hospital workers still in Tripoli, Libya to exercise extreme caution and maintain their vigilance after 40 people were reported to have died while 80 others were wounded after an airstrike at a migrant detention center took place early this morning.
In their statement released early Wednesday evening, Assistant Secretary Emmanuel R. Fernandez said the incident in Tajoura District was enough to raise their concern as it is about five kilometers from a hospital compound where about 40 Filipino nurses and their immediate families were billeted.
Embassy Chargè d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato said it was good no Filipino died, wounded or missing.
It was learned the detention center was built next to a military camp. The facility housed mostly African migrants.
The pronouncement came after the statement of the Libyan National Army they would carry out airstrikes against military camps inside Tripoli.
Mr. Cato was quoted by the DFA as saying the 40 or so Filipino nurses and engineers could not be convinced to temporarily leave their work places where heavy fighting has been reported.
Eleven nurses sought shelter at the Embassy last Sunday, June 30 after fighting broke out near the hospital where they were working. Six other Filipinos have requested help for immediate repatriation.
According to the DFA, there are still a thousand Filipinos in Tripoli and other areas outside the city.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
