DFA officials trapped inside Philippine Embassy in Tripoli

Some Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials are trapped inside the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli as violence escalate in Libya.

DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez told dwIZ over a radio interview that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) advised the Philippine foreign officials not to venture outside the embassy at the moment.

On Monday, Libyan rebels entered Tripoli's central Green Square amid or no resistance from Muammar Gaddafi forces. The Libyan rebels were waving opposition flags and firing into the air in jubilation after reaching the square.

But even if the Philippine foreign officials are trapped in the embassy, they are still closely coordinating with the Filipino communities by phone.

Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, who is also trapped inside the Philippine embassy, with the help of other embassy officials are working on an arrangement with the IOM to bring the remaining Filipinos out of Libya.

Hernandez said that the Philippine officials are working out a mechanism where Filipinos can meet at a specific area when the need for repatriation arises.

Hernandez explained that repatriation may be more difficult now because the exit points towards Tunisia are currently inaccessible due to heavy fighting.