Navy mustering force to rescue kidnapped OFWs in Libya

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy (PN) is currently mustering an appropriate response and rescue force in line with its ongoing preparation for deployment of its warship to help secure the safe release of three kidnapped Filipino workers in Libya.

Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jonathan Zata said the preparations are made in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“Pursuant to the directive of the commander-in-chief, President Duterte, the PN, composed of Fleet-Marine component, is planning for appropriate force package in response to the kidnapping of three Filipinos along with one South Korean national in Libya,” Zata said.

Zata said the Navy leadership has already directed its liaison officer, Capt. Donn Miraflor, currently attached to the combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain, to coordinate with the country’s Charge d’Affaires in Tripoli Boy Melicor.

Zata said that based on preliminary information they gathered yesterday, the Libyan authorities have been exerting all efforts for the past month to identify the kidnappers and rescue the hostages.

ACTS OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III said the ban on the deployment of workers to strife-torn Libya should remain following the abduction.

“There is a ban on deployment of Filipino workers to Libya, which still has an ongoing civil war. The seized technicians may have entered Libya with working visas obtained from a third country,” he said.

It is also possible, Bertiz added, that the three were already in Libya a long time ago, and that they avoided repatriation when the government brought home some 14,000 workers in 2011 and 2014.

He noted that Libya needs foreign professionals for its medical and oil sectors, and Tripoli has been repeatedly appealing to Manila to lift the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers.

“But as we can see in this latest kidnapping incident, the ban should stay. It is simply too dangerous for our workers to be there. In fact, if we still have citizens left there, we should bring them home now because all foreigners there are being targeted by lawless elements,” Bertiz said.

Foreigners in Libya are not just encountering security issues, but also money remittance difficulties, he said.

He suggested that authorities coordinate with the Libyan and South Korean governments to secure the safe release of the kidnapped workers.

Seoul has deployed a warship to Libya in an apparent show of force to pressure the kidnappers to free the hostages. President Duterte has threatened to deploy Navy frigates.

Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), believing that a single life is precious, yesterday expressed support for the plan of President Duterte to send the frigate to help in rescuing the three Filipino workers who were taken by armed men last month.

Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) chairman, said they would support the plan to send a ship to the North African country.

“We support (the sending of a frigate). South Korea did that. And likewise we should to show our solidarity and (that) we are serious for the freedom of Filipino abductees,” said Santos. 

Duterte had said that he would also discuss the matter with officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Aug. 7.

Aside from the three Filipinos, the terrorist also kidnapped a South Korean last July 6. All four were working as technicians at a water plant in Libya.

In response, South Korea redirected its warship Munmu the Great from the Gulf of Aden, where it was taking part in anti-piracy operations, and sent it to Libya. 

The CBCP official believes that while only three Filipino engineers were taken as captives, they should be rescued.

“Every life is important, precious. A single life is valuable,” Santos stressed. 

He also asked the government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to exhaust all possible means for the safe release of the three OFWs.

“Our OFWs especially in Libya has only the best intentions to serve the country where they are in and to be of help to their loved ones. Our OFWs are peaceful and respectful to the laws and customs of the receiving countries,” Santos said.  

He said they would also be praying for their safe release and would be offering prayers for the conversion of their abductors. 

“We pray constantly for their safety. We invoke our dear God for the change of hearts of their abductors to mend their ways and release their hostages,” the prelate added. – With Jess Diaz, Evelyn Macairan