OFWs in Libyan desert seek help as looting spreads

MANILA, Philippines – A Bayan Patroller who works in Libya fears for their safety as unscrupulous groups have started to take advantage of the political turmoil by looting foreign companies located in the desert.

Bayan Patroller Virgilio “Bob” Bagano, who works as an area facilities engineer at the Harouge Oil Operations, Amal V12 in the desert of Libya, sent ABS-CBN information about the Filipinos caught in the conflict in Libya.

“Ang gulo doon lang sa mga cities and towns. Kami, nandito sa gitna ng disyerto,” Bagano said.

However, being in the middle of the desert did not spare them from armed robbers who have stormed the camps of foreign contractors.

“Kaso ginulo kami gabi-gabi ng mga armed desert robbers, looters. Yung mga thieves nananamantala sa panahong wala ngayon gobyerno na gusto pumasok sa mga campo ng mga foreign contractors,” said Bagano.

According to Bagano, the looters forcibly took all the company’s vehicles and heavy equipments. They could not sleep for fear that the looters might return, this time to take their personal belongings.

“Naubos na lahat mga sasakyan at mga heavy equipments namin kinuha by force. Kapag di ibigay tutukan ng baril kaya gabi-gabi wala kaming tulog. Laging bantay baka sunod mga gamit na namin sa kwarto-kwarto ang gustong ubusin,” he said.

Likewise, they fear that the looters will soon decide to take over or sabotage the oil depot.

“Nangamba kami dito kung lusubin kami ng mga taong gustong magtake-over o mag sabotage ng mga oilfields, oil depot dito na pinagtrabahuhan namin na gusto sila na magtrabaho at magpatakbo kasi marami sa kanila wala rin trabaho,” he said.

He said roadblocks have been established and all airplanes have been grounded. Even pilots are now in hiding.


“Ready na kami sa evacuation kung kailan ready. Ang pangamba namin dito baka maubusan ng stock sa pagkain tulad ng mga kabayan doon sa city na di makalabas at wala ng mabiling pagkain,” he said.

As going out would be too risky for them, all they could do now is wait for help to come.

“Kindly pray for our safety and sound evacuation,” he said.

source: abs cbn