By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Out of the estimated 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, only 1,000 have expressed a desire to return to the Philippines amid rising tensions between Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel.
This was revealed on Sunday (August 18, 2024) by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, who stated that out of the 1,000 Filipinos, 356 individuals have already been repatriated.
“Hindi pa masyadong interesado ang mga Pilipino na umalis, na lumikas kaya malakas ang panawagan ng ating embahada,” the DFA official said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
De Vega added that there are around 11,000 Filipinos throughout Lebanon, some of whom are undocumented.
“Ang mga Pilipino, maximum mga 1,000 lang uuwi diyan, ang nagpahiwatig na gustong umuwi. 300 nakauwi na. May 700 pa na naghihintay na makauwi. Pero tignan natin kung anong magagawa natin para makumbinsing umuwi [ang iba],” he noted.
On Friday night (August 16, 2024), the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon issued an advisory urging Filipino citizens to leave Lebanon immediately while the airport is still open amid tensions between Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel.
The Embassy advised all Filipino nationals in Lebanon to prioritize their safety and depart the Middle Eastern country “as soon as possible.”
Those unable to leave Lebanon were urged to evacuate to safer areas outside of Beirut, South Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
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