Alert Level 4 raised in Libya, says Locsin

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. said Wednesday that Alert Level 4 has been raised in Libya amid escalating violence in the country.

This is the highest Alert Level that the Department of Foreign Affairs assigns to destinations and orders evacuation or mandatory repatriation of Filipinos.

Locsin said on his Twitter account that he has informed President Rodrigo Duterte of raising the alert level in Tripoli. “More mortar fire, more Filipinos hurt,” Locsin said.

Yesterday informed President that I raised the Alert Level to 4 in Tripoli + 100 kms around. More mortar fire, more Filipinos hurt. AL 4 is mandatory evacuation but we cannot compel—and rightly so. What is mandatory is that DFA stays in Tripoli until last OFW goes—& then it stays

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 1, 2019

But the nation’s top diplomat said that while Alert Level 4 means mandatory evacuation, the government “cannot compel—and rightly so.”

“What is mandatory is that DFA stays in Tripoli until last [Overseas Filipino Worker] goes—and then it stays,” he added.

According to the DFA website, Alert Level 4 is issued “when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack.” Travellers are also told to exercise precautions before going to the destination and while travelling.

Locsin has repeatedly appealed online to Filipinos working in the Libyan capital to heed the government’s call but said that the OFWs would decide for themselves on repatriation.

A Philippine flag has been spread on the roof of the Philippine embassy in Libya to send a message that the country is "everyone’s friend" and protect Filipinos there from attack.

On April 18, the DFA started the evacuation of Filipinos from Tripoli. The first batch was of seven Filipinos, three hospital workers and four students.

Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato also posted an update on the situation in Libya on Tuesday.

As the fighting gets closer to us, the ability of @PhinLibya to respond to calls for assistance by Filipinos in distress becomes more difficult or even impossible to carry out. That’s why this early we ask our kababayan to let us help lead them out of harm’s way. @teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/GHe2Uboxd7

— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) April 30, 2019

He said: “As the fighting gets closer to us, the ability of [the Philippine Embassy] to respond to calls for assistance by Filipinos in distress becomes more difficult or even impossible to carry out.”

Cato reiterated the government’s call for Filipinos in Libya to seek protection.