Lebanon Evacuation

MANILA, Philippines -- Amid mounting tensions between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah-led protesters, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is keeping a close eye on the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there in case their evacuation might be necessary.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion also reiterated that the ban on the deployment of OFWs to Lebanon remains effective and asked that it be followed.

“We want to make sure that our workers are safe,” Brion said.

On Tuesday, Hezbollah-led protesters burned tires and cars and clashed with government supporters, paralyzing Beirut and areas across Lebanon in the pro-Iranian group’s campaign to topple US-backed Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) head Marianito Roque said that while government does not see repatriation as necessary at this point, it is preparing for the eventuality.

“We have learned from our experience last year and we are better prepared to handle the situation,” he said, referring to the evacuation of some 3,000 Filipino workers during fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas.

OWWA deputy administrator Angelo Jimenez has been sent to Lebanon as part of the team of Ambassador Roy Cimatu, which is there to monitor the situation.

In his report to the department, Jimenez described the situation there as generally peaceful although isolated incidents of violence have occurred and the airport remains closed.

Jimenez said Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who called a nationwide strike against the government, guaranteed that he would not allow anti-government actions to lead to civil war.

He said the Lebanese government and army, on the other hand, appear to be exercising maximum tolerance although a number of people have been arrested.

Part of Jimenez’ task is to update the OWWA’s contingency plan.

Jimenez said they have spoken with some OFWs and are in close contact with Filipino communities in Lebanon to make sure their locations are known in case of an evacuation.