Pinay rape victim now with Phl embassy in Libya

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipino nurse reportedly abducted and gang raped in Tripoli is now under the custody of the Philippine embassy in Libya.

“We have already contacted our ambassador in Libya and the victim is now at the embassy and her needs are being addressed,” Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerns, said yesterday.

At the same time, Binay urged Filipino workers in Libya to heed the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to come home.

The DFA had raised alert level 4 calling for the evacuation of some 13,000 Filipino workers in Libya, which has been rocked by violence in the last few months.

The woman was seized outside her residence on Wednesday and taken to an unknown location, where she was sexually abused by up to six men, the DFA said.

She was released about two hours later and taken to hospital for treatment.

The incident took place only a few days after Islamic militants beheaded a Filipino construction worker, allegedly for being a Christian.

Binay said Libya is a dangerous country for work and advised Filipino workers there to come home.

“I am calling on all OFWs to heed the call of the DFA to avail of the repatriation program for their immediate evacuation,” he said.