MANILA, September 30 ------ Amid the intensifying conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are calling for immediate repatriation. In an online press conference organized by Migrante International, the workers expressed frustration over what they felt is a slow response from the Philippine government. "Hindi po nila binabanggit ang mga nagpapahirap ano yung kasalukuyang pinagdadaanan ng ating mga OFWs, kung bakit sila nagdadalawang isip, bakit sila hindi nagrerepatriate o di kaya, di sinasabi 'yung kabuuang kalagayan," said President of Migrante International Joanna Concepcion.
Rachel Kiocho, a nail technician working in Dahieh, recounted her alarming situation, explaining that she is in an area where bombings are taking place. Her employer suddenly left, abandoning her and others. Fortunately, someone took her in. "Medyo safe, kaya kampante ako, pero di alam kung hanggang saan kasi may balita na magkakaroon ng ground attack," she said. "Ako po'y nanawagan na ma-rescue at matulungan po kami...Marami pong gustong umuwi na nahihirapan sa proseso," she added.
Christine Lao, another OFW, shared how the ongoing conflict has created a terrifying atmosphere for those still in Lebanon. “Sa tagal po namin dito, hindi namin naisipang umuwi, pero ngayon, sagip buhay na kami rito. Hindi na po pwedeng magpigil,” she said, recounting the fear of constant bombings that shake their building. “May kasama kaming bata na nagsasabi, ‘Mamatay na ba tayo kapag may bombahan?’”
Lao shared her frustrating experience dealing with the repatriation process, stating that the embassy merely sends them links to fill out forms and contact hotlines. After filling out the forms and submitting them to immigration, they were told to wait 20 days for updates, but over a month has passed with no progress. The delay, they were told, is due to their status as undocumented workers (TNT), but Lao questioned how updates could be made when the immigration office remains closed. "Kailan po ba sila kikilos? Kapag may mga namatay na po ba dito?" Lao asked. "Nanawagan po ako sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno, bigyan naman po kami ng pansin. Hindi po pwedeng tutungaga lang sila maghihintay kung kailan may flight," she said.
Some OFWs in Lebanon also reported that their employers are hiding the true situation of the war from them. Some said that when they asked to leave, their employers refused to let them go unless a replacement was found. Additionally, there are employers who are withholding their passports, preventing them from being able to return home. They also expressed fear over reports that certain areas, such as Dahieh, could face more severe attacks.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the repatriation of over a dozen Filipinos in conflict-hit Lebanon has been rescheduled to October 3. They were supposed to be flown back home last September 26, but several international airlines temporarily suspended their flights as the tension between Israel and the Hezbollah escalated. Israel has shifted its focus to battling Hezbollah, nearly a year since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack.
On Friday, they announced the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a massive strike on the group's main bastion in the south Lebanon's capital, Beirut. The Lebanese health ministry said the strikes on the densely populated area also left 55 people dead, while thousands of others have fled their homes in the neighborhood. Israel's bombardment has killed more than 700 people in a week, according to figures by Lebanon's health ministry.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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