MANILA — The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) on Thursday urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be wary amid increasing tensions in Libya.
“With the volatile situation in Libya we appeal to our OFWs there to be more cautious and attentive to one another as to be “brothers’ keeper” to another,” CBCP-ECMI chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a statement.
At the same time, he asked them to abide by the orders of Philippine officials in the host country for their own protection.
“Always listen and follow the directives of our Philippine embassy officials. Avoid unsecured places, stay away from suspicious people,” the Bataan prelate said.
“Pray always and take necessary self-precautions,” he added.
Santos noted that they are always praying for Filipinos working there and for peace to reign in Libya.
“We at CBCP ECMI are always praying for their safety, there would be peace and stability in that place,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged thousands of Filipino workers in the said country to prepare for possible evacuation.
It raised Alert Level 3 in the North African country due to escalating violence.
The factional fighting has been raging for more than a week now as the country’s United Nations-backed government recently declared the capital, including its outskirts, under state of emergency.
There are an estimated 3,500 Filipinos working in Libya. ( Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
