The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has successfully relocated nearly 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Northern Israel to safer locations due to the escalating conflict in the region. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac shared on Monday that more than 150 Filipinos have also been evacuated to three different shelters in Lebanon.
“I will not disclose locations for security reasons, but they are on safer ground for sure… Siyempre, pinagdadasal natin ang kapayapaan (Of course, we are praying for peace),” Cacdac said, speaking at an event marking the anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel.
The evacuation efforts, organized by the DMW, the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), the Philippine Embassy in Israel, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), aim to ensure the safety of OFWs affected by the intensifying conflict. “Sa buwan ng Oktubre, we have commercial flights lined up for those who wish to come home from Lebanon,” Cacdac added.
OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio highlighted the ongoing repatriation efforts, which are being conducted “almost daily.” He assured that OWWA is always ready to support OFWs, no matter how frequently their decisions might change.
“Laging meron[g tulong na] available for our OFWs kung kailangan nilang umuwi (We always have resources available for our OFWs if they need to go home),” Ignacio said, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to assist those in need.
The Filipino community in the Middle East has been advised to avoid high-risk areas, particularly in Israel and Lebanon, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. This advisory follows Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah targets after rockets were fired into Haifa from Lebanon.
During the event, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ian Fluss reiterated that Israel did not initiate the conflict, stating, “Israel does not want this war. We did not initiate it.” The ambassador’s comments came after the UN Security Council extended Resolution 1701, which aims to limit military presence in Southern Lebanon to Lebanese forces.
