Gov't raises relocation alert for 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon

The government on Monday moved to secure 30,000 overseas Filipino workers in Lebanon as Israel stepped up its attacks, compelling Philippine authorities to raise alert level "3" – which instructs Filipinos to move to relocation sites – in the Middle East country. "We are relocating, we are not evacuating, but we are preparing for alert level '4' if (Special Envoy to the Middle East) Ambassador Roy Cimatu decides to activate evacuation," said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos. The DFA uses a four-level alert system for Filipinos overseas, with the highest being "4", or evacuation. "We have identified two possible (evacuation routes): one is by sea from Beirut to Cyprus and the other is to the north going to Syria. But Syria is a dangerous route," Conejos said. "We have already contacted Israel—we need clearance from them. We will ask for exit clearance for safe passage of Filipino evacuees if evacuation is required." Israel last week launched attacks on Lebanon, its neighbor to the north, after Hezbollah militants abducted two Israeli soldiers. Israel vowed to step up attacks Monday after rockets reportedly fired by Hezbollah hit the Israeli port city of Haifa. DFA spokesman Gilbert Asuque earlier said three churches located outside the Lebanese capital of Beirut were identified as temporary shelters for Filipinos. The Church of the Miraculous Medal, Church of St. Joseph, and a third church will fly Philippine flags to indicate that they are neutral parties in the conflict. OWWA administrator Marianito Roque is now on his way to Lebanon to coordinate with the Middle East Preparedness team for the possible evacuation and repatriation of more than 30,000 Filipino workers. He added that the cellular phone text brigade in Lebanon has been reactivated for immediate action in case of any eventuality. Lita Hizon, president of the Philippine Association of Medeterrian Agencies Deploying Laborers to Lebanon (Pamadel), also said that 116 OFWs housed at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) center have been relocated to the St. Vincent de Paul Hall, an evacuation site picked by the Philippine government. She clarified that the 116 OFWs, mostly domestic helpers, had already been at the OWWA center. “These are runaway workers and those that have immigration cases that sought refuge in the OWWA center," Hizon said. She added that no OFWs have so far approached or requested them for possible repatriation. “In fact, they seem to be not bothered by the tension," Hizon said. -GMANews.TV