AMID fears of war between Israel and Iran and the latter’s ally Hezbollah, the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday reiterated its call for Filipinos in Lebanon to avail themselves of the government’s repatriation program.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega made the appeal following the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, Fu’ad Shukr last week, followed by the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Teheran.
Iran has vowed revenge for the killings, heightening fears of a widening Middle East conflict.
Israel and Hezbollah militants continue to trade almost daily fire along Lebanon’s border areas since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
De Vega said there are 17,537 Filipinos living in Lebanon and majority are opting to stay in the country.
“There have been about 1,000 who have gone home or signified their interest since last October. About 300 have gone home. But we have about 17,000 in Lebanon. They want to stay. They feel they are not in areas where the Hezbollah forces operate,” De Vega said.
“They are farther north in places like Beirut,” he added.
