The Filipino community in Lebanon is advised to depart while Beirut airport remains operational

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recommended that Filipinos in Lebanon contemplate departing and make use of the government's repatriation initiative while Beirut's airport remains operational.

“Due to the heightened tension in the southern border of Lebanon, the Philippine Embassy calls for the voluntary repatriation of Filipino nationals,” the Philippine Embassy in Beirut said in an advisory.

Eduardo de Vega, Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has upped the alert level in Lebanon to 3, advising overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to seek voluntary return in order to avoid becoming trapped in battles between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops. With nearly 17,500 Filipinos in Lebanon, the situation could deteriorate and a war could break out.

The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon advised Filipinos to avoid going to public places, gatherings, and traveling throughout Lebanon, particularly in the south. In the midst of tensions at the Israel-Gaza border, the government established a support desk for overseas Filipinos concerned by major rallies across Lebanon. 25 additional Israeli OFWs are slated to arrive in Manila on Monday, bringing the total number of repatriated OFWs to 32 since the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The administration has acknowledged the deaths of four Filipinos in Hamas strikes and the disappearance of one OFW.