Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said more Filipinos from Israel and Lebanon are expected to return to the Philippines in early November amid the increasing tensions in the middle eastern countries.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said at least 112 Filipinos in Lebanon were identified for repatriation, with an initial batch arriving on Friday.
The DFA has implemented voluntary repatriation in Lebanon after placing the middle eastern country under Alert Level 3 due to escalating tensions between Israel and Islamist group Hezbollah.
De Vega said there are 17,500 Filipinos in Lebanon, around 10,000 of whom are undocumented.
“We still have to get their access permits from Lebanon because they have been working there illegally, but that is being worked on,” he added.
De Vega said the Filipinos will be repatriated through commercial flight, but there is also the option to exit by sea in case the situation worsens.
Another batch from Israel is also set to arrive on Nov. 6, De Vega said. In total, around 120 were already repatriated, while 143 more Filipinos are requesting to be brought home, he noted.
The DFA official said there is still no new information regarding the two Filipinos assumed to be among those taken hostage in the Israel-Hamas war. He said it is also possible that they are among the dead that were not yet identified after the Oct. 7 attack by militant group Hamas.
