DFA urges repatriation for Pinoys in Lebanon

The Department of Foreign Affairs has reached out to overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon regarding repatriation amid the tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.

According to JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras," this developed after Israel called for individuals in Southern Lebanon to evacuate, something it did prior to the attack on Gaza.

The call was made after Iran sent more than 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel on Tuesday as a response to Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Philippines has expressed concern "over increasing tensions in the Middle East marked by Israeli ground operations in Lebanon." 

It urged all parties to avoid increasing violence and to take active steps towards a peaceful resolution.

However, Israeli forces sent out evacuation advisories to over 20 areas in Southern Lebanon, similar to those it issued in Gaza before it attacked during the Israel-Hamas War.

“We already have plans in place in various countries that might be affected, including Lebanon. The DMW are working really hard to institute their plan in trying to get arrangements ready for the Filipinos in the area in case they have to evacuate or be repatriated,” said DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo.

There are currently more than 11,000 Filipinos based in Lebanon, majority of which are located in Beirut.

The DFA has been able to make contact with OFWs in Southern Lebanon, and have asked them to return to the country.

“They have already identified where they are, and they’ve already contacted whom they can contact in Southern Lebanon,” Manalo said. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/NB/KG, GMA Integrated News