MANILA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen more Filipinos were repatriated from Tripoli on Wednesday, bringing to 70 the number of those who have been assisted in returning to the Philippines since the crisis in Libya broke out almost two months ago.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said in a statement that the latest repatriates, who include five minors and two scholars, comprise the biggest batch to be assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli under the repatriation program being jointly carried out by the DFA and the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Embassy Charge d'Affaires and head of the mission Elmer Cato said the repatriates are now on the way to Tunis where they will board their connecting flight to Manila via Dubai. They will arrive in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, he added.
The Embassy reiterated its appeal to the more than 1,000 other Filipinos still in Tripoli to accept the government's repatriation offer because of intensified fighting in the immediate outskirts of the capital.
The Embassy made the appeal as it expressed serious concern over the safety of at least 40 Filipinos in areas where fierce fighting continues to take place.
Cato said the embassy has lost contact with around 14 Filipinos working for a local company who insisted on staying in their compound even after it was occupied by fighters belonging to one side of the conflict.
It was learned that the compound was struck by artillery rounds last week that left several foreign workers wounded.
The embassy also expressed concern about the safety of 18 Filipino nurses from a clinic that was struck by mortar rounds last month.
Cato said Filipinos working or living in areas where fighting is taking place should at least try to relocate themselves to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Dozens of Filipinos barely escaped rocket attacks and infighting in areas in and around the Libyan capital Tripoli, according to Cato. But many Filipinos refuse to leave the country despite the danger.
