MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has confirmed that no Filipinos were harmed during two recent air raids by the Israeli army in Beirut on October 10, which have been described as the deadliest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This announcement comes alongside the safe return of nine Filipinos from Lebanon under a government repatriation program.
According to Philippines News Agency, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in remarks made at a news forum in Quezon City, assured that there were no injuries or deaths reported among the Filipino community in Lebanon, which includes the capital, Beirut, and southern regions. “Sa ngayon, wala tayong napapabalitaan na nasaktan o nasawing Pilipino sa mga attack sa Lebanon (At present, we haven’t heard any Filipino hurt in the attacks in Lebanon),” Cacdac stated. He attributed this safety to divine intervention and expressed hope for continued protection of Filipinos in the area.
The Philippine Embassy in Beirut issued an advisory on October 12, indicating heightened concerns for civilian safety amid the airstrikes, specifically advising Filipinos to avoid the areas of Ras al-Nabaa and Noueiri. The advisory comes as part of a broader concern for the 11,000 Filipinos residing and working in Lebanon, with 570 expressing a desire to voluntarily leave. So far, 221 have secured flights scheduled between October 12 and 28.
The repatriation effort by the Philippine government has successfully brought home 442 Filipinos and 28 dependents since the beginning of October 2023. Those recently arrived received financial assistance from the DMW AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, totaling PHP150,000 each. Additional support included livelihood assistance and skills training vouchers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, respectively.