It looks like diplomatic niceties have taken a backseat for the country’s top diplomat and a veteran diplomatic reporter.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Manila Bulletin diplomatic reporter Roy Mabasa exchange expletives on their Twitter conversation as regards the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya.
It started with Mabasa tweeting that the situation in Libya has gone worse, suggesting to Locsin to raise the alert level so that OFWs in Libya would be prepared to evacuate if the conflict in Libya escalates into full-blown war.
“Aren’t we supposed to raise alert level in Libya at this time instead of waiting for a full blown war to erupt, Sec. @teddyboylocsin? There are about 1,000 Filipinos working in that country, mostly in hospitals & oil fields,” Mabasa tweeted.
Aren't we supposed to raise alert level in Libya at this time instead of waiting for a full blown war to erupt, Sec. @teddyboylocsin? There are about 1,000 Filipinos working in that country, mostly in hospitals & oil fields.https://t.co/pzWITLOI2A
— ROY MABASA (@roymabasa) April 7, 2019
Mabasa’s suggestion apparently did not sit well on Locsin.
“You wanna tell that to the Filipinos who need to work to make ends meet. P***. When hell breaks loose we DFA will be in [expletive] line of fire because we are not Yellow,” Locsin told Mabasa in direct reply to his tweet.
You wanna tell that to the Filipinos who need to work there to make ends meet. Putangina. When all hell breaks loose We in DFA will be in the fucking line of fire because we are not Yellow. https://t.co/zfKzDDyqes
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 7, 2019
And so the journalist retorted: “So, that’s how you protect the OFWs. Let them stay there despite looming danger because that’s what they want? Might as well close the embassy there. P**,” Mabasa tweeted back.
So, that's how you protect the OFWs, let them stay there despite looming danger because that's what they want? Might as well close the embassy there. Putang ina.
— ROY MABASA (@roymabasa) April 7, 2019
Some OFWs in Libya joined in the conversation. One posted photo of landing at the Tripoli airport, which shows that the situation is still normal in Tripoli.
yan po sir proof pic.twitter.com/Ty75hT0OYX
— sats dizon (@Lloyd_Dizon16) April 7, 2019
This afternoon, Locsin said though that he is “seriously thinking” about upping the alert level in Libya to 3.
But thinking seriously about it. https://t.co/DDqnUnSs5J
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 8, 2019
Alert Level 3 requires all Filipinos in Libya to prepare anytime for evacuation.
Locsin said though that he won’t recommend lifting of the deployment ban.
“Will shoot anyone who suggests (lift the deployment ban). I mean fire,” he added.
The deployment ban to Libya will not be lifted. Will shoot anyone who suggests it. I mean fire.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 8, 2019
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Affairs Abdullah Mamao flew to Tripoli last Sunday and delivered a letter from Locsin to Libyan Foreign Minister Taher Sial.
He was accompanied by Philippine Embassy in Tripoli Chargé d’Affaires Mardomel Melicor and Philippine Embassy in Kuwait Chargé d’Affaires Dino Lomondot.
