Marcos wants PH ready to repatriate Pinoys in Lebanon
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday directed government agencies to mobilize all assets in preparation for the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the crisis in the Middle East, amid attacks and counter-attacks between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and allied groups.
The President, on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, convened an online meeting with several of his Cabinet secretaries to get an update on the escalating situation between Lebanon and Israel.
“We are now going to evacuate our people by whatever means — by air, or by sea,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) quoted Marcos as saying during the online meeting.
The Department of Foreign Affairs placed Lebanon under Alert Level 3, which means voluntary repatriation. Last week, the DFA said it was not yet raising the alert to Level 4, which would mean mandatory repatriation because of the existence of a large-scale internal conflict or the host country is under a full-blown external attack.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has said the DFA has been operating as there is a mandatory evacuation.
Marcos said a change in the alert level would depend on developments.
Aside from Manalo, the Zoom meeting was participated in by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
Marcos aid the vessels to be used should be on standby and already in an area where the Filipinos would exit.
“Just make all the preparations so that our assets are nearby. If we will use a ship, it should already be near Beirut and ready, when the embassy gives us the clearance and they say that our people can go, we get them out them out so that they do not wait long in danger areas,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
The President said the method to be used to bring Filipinos out from conflict areas to safer places, and eventually repatriate them, would still be determined.
“We are going to evacuate them. But the means of how to do that is something that we still have to determine because it is an evolving situation. So, bantayan na lang natin (So, let us monitor),” Marcos said.
Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat reported to the President that all available measures will be exhausted to expedite exit clearances for repatriation.
Marcos, before leaving Manila for Laos on Tuesday, said he would continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East and receive updates from concerned officials.
The Philippine Embassy in Beirut has received 1,721 applications for repatriation as of October 8, with 511 already repatriated and 171 ready for repatriation.
Financial assistance of P150,000 from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is given to each of the repatriated overseas Filipino worker (OFW) through the DMW AKSYON Fund and the OWWA Emergency Repatriation Fund.
CHALLENGING TIMES
The President said his administration prioritizes the safety and welfare of Filipinos both in the country and abroad.
He also reiterated he would continue to push for the country’s interests in the ASEAN Summit, such as maintaining peace and security in the region, strengthening the economy, and ensuring the well-being of every Filipino, including OFWs.
“The world and our region are facing challenging times. From conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, to global existential threats such as climate change and natural and man-made disasters, to transnational crime and economic downturns,” he said.
“All these, in one way or another, affect the lives and livelihoods of peace-loving and hardworking people like yourselves,” he added.
There are an estimated 2,000 Filipinos residing in Laos, most employed as professionals or skilled workers, with some working as lawyers, accountants, engineers and in hospitality services.
Marcos said Filipinos in Laos are highly regarded for their immense contributions to Lao PDR, particularly in the fields of education and construction due to their unmatched dedication, professionalism and grit.
