DFA cites indications of imminent Israel attack
The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon called on Filipinos in Lebanon to leave immediately while the airport remains operational amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
“We advise all Filipino nationals to prioritize their safety and depart the country as soon as possible,” the embassy said in an advisory.
“If you are unable to leave Lebanon, we strongly recommend that you evacuate to safer areas outside of Beirut, South Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.”
The department issued the urgent call as the situation in Lebanon got more intense amid “indications of an imminent attack by Israel on Hezbollah positions,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega said on Saturday.
Of the 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, more than 300 have returned home.
A total of 738 Filipino nationals earlier requested repatriation but 45 of them still have papers pending with immigration.
Meanwhile, 15 could not leave due to ongoing court cases while 322 have withdrawn their applications.
“Filipinos remain adamant on staying there. The ones interested in leaving are those who just arrived recently,” De Vega told PNA in a text message.
“In effect, the Embassy is saying that conditions in Beirut may look safe, but you never know. So, you should leave while you still can. Other countries are making similar calls to their citizens.”
Philippine Ambassador to Beirut Raymond Balatbat, for his part, has yet to recommend raising the alert level in Lebanon where voluntary repatriation is in effect.
“As for raising the alert to Level 4, we are closely monitoring the situation and making necessary preparations for the evacuation sites to absorb the expected amount of repatriates,” he said.
Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli air strike on Saturday in southern Lebanon killed 10 Syrians, as the Israeli military reported hitting weapons stores of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
The toll from the strike in the Nabatieh area is one of the largest in southern Lebanon since Hezbollah and Israeli forces began exchanging near-daily fire over their border after war in the Gaza Strip began in October.
International mediators have been trying to reach a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas Palestinian militants, which diplomats say could help to avert a wider war in which Lebanon would be on the front line.
De Vega said there are still a “handful” of Filipinos in southern Lebanon but none were affected by the attacks.
“(The Philippine Embassy in Beirut) is validating the numbers of overseas Filipino workers still residing in the big cities of Southern Lebanon like Nabatieh City, Tyre, and Sidon,” he said.
“There are no OFWs residing in border towns near the Blue Line where most of the fighting between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah is taking place.” With AFP
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