Metro Manila, Philippines — More than 1,000 Filipinos in Lebanon have requested repatriation amid hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, an official said on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
“So far over 500 have already returned to the Philippines with over 1,000 still being processed for return,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer told a televised public briefing.
Ferrer said the Philippine embassy in Beirut is attending to those with immigration and visa issues.
Around 11,000 Filipinos are reportedly living and working in Lebanon.
Ferrer said families at home could help convince their relatives to go back to the Philippines.
Israeli airstrikes since Monday killed more than 550 people, including 50 children and 94 women, and wounded 1,835, Lebanese authorities said on Tuesday. Tens of thousands more have fled for safety.
“Filipinos in South Lebanon are advised to stay put and remain indoors until the bombing subsides and wait for the situation to stabilize,” the embassy wrote on its Facebook page.
In August, the embassy “strongly” urged Filipinos to leave the Middle Eastern country while the airport remained operational. — with reports from Reuters
