By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to ensure the safe and timely repatriation of Filipinos affected by the crisis in the Middle East.
“We are now going to evacuate our people by whatever means—by air or by sea,” Marcos said during a Zoom meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
“And just make all the preparations so that all our assets are nearby. If we need to deploy a ship, it should be close to Beirut. As soon as the Embassy gives us clearance and confirms that our people can go, we can evacuate them immediately so they won’t have to wait long in danger areas,” he added.
The President’s remarks followed Defense Secretary Teodoro’s update that, while the government is prepared for the repatriation, they are awaiting clearances from Lebanon before proceeding.
Teodoro stated that repatriation will begin once they obtain all the necessary exit clearances.
As of October 8, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut has received 1,721 applications for repatriation, with 511 already repatriated and 171 ready for repatriation.
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