MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said 124 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) want to return to the Philippines from Lebanon as tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group has led to violence.

• Fire, smoke seen at border between Israel and Lebanon

Exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has affected mostly the souther part of Lebanon and some Filipinos have already been evacuated from there, said DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac.

Cacdac said they are already arranging their flights back to the Philippines.

"Mayroong mga nag-signify na gusto nilang umuwi. Mayroon nang nailikas mula doon sa mga affected areas," he said over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(Some have signified that they want to go home. Some have already been evacuated from affected areas.)

DMW PREPARED TO HELP FILIPINOS IN REGION

In case the conflict in the region spreads, the acting DMW chief said they are prepared to help Filipinos.

The DMW has already sent an augmentation team to reinforce its labor attache in Israel and its migrant office there, he noted, as well as in nearby areas.

"May mga crisis plans, contingency plans in place. Matagal nang in place ang contingency plans. Yun namang preparations natin ay handa na rin," he said.

(Our crisis and contingency plans are in place.)

"Pati sa evacuation at repatration routes. Hindi ko lang dedetalyihin pero mayroon na rin tayong preparasyon doon."

(Evacuation and repatriation routes are also read. I will not give details, but we are prepared.)

• DMW to assist Filipinos in Lebanon who want to return to PH

The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised Alert Level 3 in Lebanon. Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation.

Israel's military last week warned that Hezbollah's escalating attacks on Israel risk "dragging Lebanon into a war," after fresh cross-border fire exchanges raised fears of a wider conflict.

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