The Philippine Embassy in Libya has announced the demise of one of its key officers who succumbed to COVID-19 at a hospital in Mitiga on Monday, Sept. 20.
“It is with the most profound sorrow that the Philippine Embassy in Libya announces the death of our beloved colleague Attaché Jose Arcel Donato, husband of Susan, father of Russel and Jerome,” Charge d’Affaires Juan “Jed” Dayang Jr. said in a social media post.
Dayang said the Embassy received a report that Donato passed away at 8:15 am after suffering cardiac arrest at the Mitiga Covid Isolation Center, some 13 kilometers northeast of Tripoli.
“I lost a good man today because of Covid. I continue to promote the value of life here in Libya, where life is uncertain. But God has a mysterious way of telling us that life is not ours and so we make the most of it while we can to serve God and our brethren,” the Philippine Charge d’Affaires said.
Donato has served the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli for the last four years “with courage, dedication, and professionalism,” said Dayang. Prior to that, he was posted at the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam.
“He will be remembered for his kindness and good humor and will be missed by us, his friends in Libya, and his loved ones in the Philippines,” Dayang said.
Some of Donato’s colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) described Donato as “hardworking” and one who never wanted to miss a day at work.
“He was the epitome of loyalty and hard work. And he was kind. He was a kind and gentle soul,” said Consul-General Emma Sarne, one of Donato’s former colleagues.
Dayang thanked the doctors and the Filipino nurses who attended to Donato and for their heroic work at the hospital.
“We know you did everything to save the life of Arcel but we leave it up to the will of the Almighty. Life is changed not ended,” he said.
According to Dayang, the Philippine Embassy in Libya is arranging the repatriation of the remains of Donato most likely this coming weekend.