Statement: On Preparations for Evacuation from Libya

04 September 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today told the Filipino Community in Libya to be ready for possible evacuation as it raised the alert level there following days of factional fighting.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano declared Libya under Alert Level III (Voluntary Repatriation) due to escalating violence that threaten the safety and security of an estimated 3,500 Filipinos who are still there.

Secretary Cayetano, who is in Jerusalem with the President, has also informed Secretary Silvestre Bello III of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of the decision to upgrade the alert level from II to III.

Under Alert Level III, all Filipinos in Libya are enjoined to start preparations for evacuation and all those with valid employment contracts who are currently in vacation in the Philippines will not be allowed to return.

The DFA is placing on standby rapid response teams to assist the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli in evacuating the 1,800 Filipinos in the capital who have been caught in the middle of the factional fighting that has been raging for more than a week now.

On Monday, the Embassy advised the Filipino Community to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement due to mounting violence and criminality.

Filipinos who may require assistance are requested to contact the Embassy at: +218 91 824 4208 and +218 94 454 1283.

Next of kin in the Philippines may contact the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs at (+632) 834-4996 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. during office hours and DFA Action Center +632 834-3333 or 834-4997 after office hours.