MANILA, Philippine: The Philippines has announced plans to evacuate approximately 11,000 citizens from Lebanon in response to escalating violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. As tensions mount, Israeli bombing campaigns targeting Hezbollah strongholds have resulted in significant casualties, prompting Manila to take precautionary measures for its citizens.
Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stated that the evacuation would commence immediately if Israeli forces initiate a ground offensive into Lebanon.
He emphasized that a ground invasion would necessitate mandatory repatriation of Filipino nationals. The Philippine government plans to facilitate the evacuation primarily through sea routes, although specific details regarding the logistics have not been disclosed.
Despite previous advisories encouraging Filipinos to leave Lebanon before airlines ceased operations to Beirut, many have chosen to remain, citing economic hardships. With a considerable number of Filipinos working abroad, particularly in the Middle East, the situation reflects the dire choices faced by many.
De Vega highlighted the grim reality for some citizens, stating that for them, facing the dangers of war may seem preferable to the prospect of starvation.
As of now, the government’s voluntary repatriation efforts have yielded limited success, with only around 500 individuals opting to leave Lebanon amid the ongoing crisis. The Philippine ambassador to Beirut reported that 196 Filipinos had successfully evacuated from southern Lebanon, an area heavily affected by the Israeli military operations. Most Filipino workers in Lebanon are concentrated in urban centers, particularly around Beirut.
While the Philippine government has implemented measures for those in Lebanon, officials have clarified that there are currently no plans to evacuate the approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel. As the situation in the region continues to evolve, the Philippine government remains vigilant, ready to protect its citizens in the face of growing instability.
