The government has measures in place should the situation in Lebanon worsens, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Friday.
At a press briefing, Manalo said appropriate steps are ready in the event violence in Lebanon and neighboring countries escalates.
“We already have plans in place in various countries that might be affected including Lebanon,” he said.
“Our Embassy in coordination with all our other attaches, especially our own attaches in DFA and, of course, the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) have already [planned this.] [They] are working very hard to institute their plan in trying to get arrangements ready for the Filipinos in the area in case they have to evacuate or be repatriated,” he added.
He emphasized that concerned government agencies have already identified and contacted the Filipinos in conflict-hit areas, including southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military is currently pursuing a ground incursion operation, resulting in clashes with Hezbollah fighters in areas of Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Manalo said majority of Filipinos in Lebanon are in Beirut.
“The Embassy is also in direct contact with the Filipino community in Beirut as well as in southern Lebanon,” he assured.
Manalo noted that Lebanon is currently under Alert Level 3 but the DFA has been operating as though it was under a higher alert or mandatory evacuation, as tensions in Lebanon continue to escalate. | PND
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