Abu Dhabi: A chartered Air Bucharest plane carrying evacuees from Libya arrived safely in Abu Dhabi airport on Thursday.
"As many as 153 passengers including five children were flown from Tunisia to Abu Dhabi via Larnaka. They are en route to be repatriated to their home country," Yousri Abdul Aal, liaison officer at the Philippine Embassy said.
Some 26 travellers were transferred to Qatar Airways for a flight to Manila and others were waiting for flights via Singapore. The remaining passengers are awaiting their turn.
"Three more flights were due to arrive in the coming hour [early Friday morning] carrying additional evacuees," Yousri added.
"We are delighted for their safe arrival. Some of them had no passports or identifications as they got to the Tunisian border. Our staff was there to help them with proper travel documentations alongside the Tunisian authorities," he said.
Families and children walked for four hours to get to the Tunisian border where they were met by Philippine Embassy staff. The embassy rented three villas near the border to shelter evacuees in Djerba,
Nearly the entire staff of the Philippine Community School was evacuated. The principal, Aleth Ramirez had been in Libya for 20 years, and the school nurse Ceriano Joliene lived there for 23 years. Six other teachers were among the evacuees.
"It all started on February 17 when our school became an evacuation centre. We provided blankets but were unable to provide sufficient nutrition. We ran out of food and there was nowhere else to go," said Joliene.
"Stepping out of the school building became very dangerous. Snipers were everywhere. Our Ambassador instructed us to halt school programmes, and provide a shelter to the Filipino community and people kept coming for safety," the principal said.
No signs
"We were shocked, there were no signs to such problems and we were happy in Libya. We wouldn't have stayed 20 years if we weren't happy," Joliene added.
"Situation calmed down after Gaddafi first speech, and shops reopened. We thought it was over and started to feel optimistic but life was quickly chaotic," Joliene explained.
Karen Legaspi, a 16 -year old high school senior was born and lived in Libya all of her life.
"Libya is home to me, and Libyans are peace loving people. I am shocked, we were taken by surprise, and I am so sad to leave," Legaspi said.
"The problems started around February 19, but no one had any idea what was going on," she added.
Her mother, a nurse, lived in another town nearby. "I was not able to see my mum but we talked and she asked me to leave. I was supposed to have my prom on February 25 and graduation in March. No prom and no graduation for many like me," she added.
Getting out of Libya alive was what everyone had hoped for.
"We lived there for 20 years, but left everything behind. We left our cars, furniture and home, and we are sad to leave, we love the country" said Giorgio Soriano, a professor.
"It was a scary walk to the Tunisian border," said Joliene.
"We were stopped at over 20 checkpoints, where we were asked for gadgets and electronics like laptops and cameras. We didn't know if they were supporters or against Gaddafi, but that didn't matter we just wanted to get out safely," Angel Soriano a Cambridge University student said
Dento, a 10-year-old boy, and his brother Adonis, 7 travelled with their family friend Olivia Catarino.
"My husband, like the boys' parents, had to stay back because they need to work and support other family members in the Philippines, and the situation seems to be slightly better with the reopening of the shops," Olivia said.
"My ear is full of cold air, and it hurts," said a very weary 10- year-old, Oliver.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi Airport provided food, shower facilities and medical care for those who needed it.
Assurance: Manila will retrain all of them
Abu Dhabi : The Philippines will reintegrate all Filipinos being returned from Libya, through a government programme, the visiting Philippine Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay said.
Speaking at a press conference at the Philippine Embassy in the capital on Thursday evening, Binay said about 10,000 Filipinos have left Libya and about 2,500 already reached Philippines.
He said they will be given free training by the government to enhance their professional skills.
The government's reintegration advocacy programme for Overseas Filipino Workers includes the training to develop entrepreneurial skills also.
- Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
