The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday night said that no Filipino was hurt in the recent deadly clashes between rival Libyan militias in the center of the country’s capital, Tripoli.
“As of this time, no report has been received on Filipinos hurt nor injured in the clashes,” the DFA said.
The department said that the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli is on top of the situation and monitoring the situation and has reported to DFA the ongoing clashes in Tripoli and surrounding areas.
It has also issued two advisories urging Filipinos in Tripoli and nearby districts to avoid the areas where the clashes are taking place.
Likewise, the DFA issued an advisory to Filipinos who are working in the North African country.
“The DFA strongly urges our kababayans to take shelter at home or in other safe places while the fighting is ongoing and to contact our embassy through its hotline numbers for immediate assistance,” it said.
There are about 2,164 Filipinos in Libya made up of professionals, mostly nurses and other hospital workers as well as university instructors, and skilled workers in the oil and gas sector, according to the department.
On Saturday, deadly clashes broke out between rival militias loyal to Libya’s two opposing governments which claimed the lives of at least 23 people and wounded 87 others.