The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, Oct. 23, advised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Lebanon to seek the voluntary repatriation program before a war broke out between Israel troops and Hezbollah militants.

This came after DFA raised Alert Level 3 in Lebanon following the Israel-Hezbollah fire exchange.

“Umpisa na ng advisory sa mga kababayan [na] habang ngayon pa lang, pagsamantalahan na ninyo [at] umuwi na kayo dahil ayaw natin na kung kailan may giyera na talaga [at saka] kayo uuwi,” Usec. Eduardo Jose de Vega said in an interview with DZRH.

“So habang maaga pa lang pagsamantalahan ninyo na may voluntary repatriation program tas dito muna kayo hanggang maayos na yung tense na situation doon,” he added.

According to de Vega, there are about 17,000 to 18,000 OFWs in Lebanon.

“Kung gusto nila lahat umuwi edi kailangan natin mag charter ng few flights pero ang expectation namin unti-unti tayo mag-uuwi via commercial flights parang pareho sa israel may mga nagsisiuwian na every few days,” the DFA undersecretary said.

“Ang expectation namin hindi naman libo-libo ang pupunta agad kasi alam niyo mga kababayan natin habang may trabaho, habang wala pa yung giyera ayaw nilang umalis eh,” he added.

De Vega urged Filipinos in Lebanon to heed the repatriation calls, especially if their respective employers fail to secure an evacuation plan.

“Dinggin na ninyo yung panawagan. Kung hindi kayo sigurado kung yung amo ninyo walang evacuation plan para sa inyo, mabuti pa ay tumawag na sa embassy. Kung kaya ninyong umuwi muna ng Pilipinas for the next few months then balikan natin pag tapos na yung guloe,” he said.