OFWs in Lebanon call for immediate repatriation amid rising tensions | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
OFWs in Lebanon call for immediate repatriation amid rising tensions
OFWs in Lebanon call for immediate repatriation amid rising tensions
A Lebanese army soldier gestures to an ambulance rushing wounded people to a hospital in Beirut on September 17, 2024, after explosions hit locations in several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. Anwar Amro, AFP/File
A Lebanese army soldier gestures to an ambulance rushing wounded people to a hospital in Beirut on September 17, 2024, after explosions hit locations in several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. Anwar Amro, AFP/FileMANILA -- Amid the intensifying conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are calling for immediate repatriation.
MANILA -- 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 on Sunday, the workers expressed frustration over what they felt is a slow response from the Philippine government.
In an online press conference organized by Migrante International on Sunday, 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.
"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.
(They are not mentioning the difficulties or the current struggles our OFWs are going through, which is why they are hesitant or unable to repatriate, nor are they sharing the full extent of the situation.)
(They are not mentioning the difficulties or the current struggles our OFWs are going through, which is why they are hesitant or unable to repatriate, nor are they sharing the full extent of the situation.)
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
"Medyo safe, kaya kampante ako, pero di alam kung hanggang saan kasi may balita na magkakaroon ng ground attack," she said.
(It's somewhat safe, so I feel at ease, but I'm unsure how long this will last since there are reports of an impending ground attack.)
(It's somewhat safe, so I feel at ease, but I'm unsure how long this will last since there are reports of an impending ground attack.)
"Ako po'y nanawagan na ma-rescue at matulungan po kami...Marami pong gustong umuwi na nahihirapan sa proseso," she added.
"Ako po'y nanawagan na ma-rescue at matulungan po kami...Marami pong gustong umuwi na nahihirapan sa proseso," she added.
(I am calling on to rescue and help us. Many of us want to return home but are struggling with the process.)
(I am calling on to rescue and help us. Many of us want to return home but are struggling with the process.)
Christine Lao, another OFW, shared how the ongoing conflict has created a terrifying atmosphere for those still in Lebanon.
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.
“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.
(After being here for so long, we never considered returning home, but now it has become a matter of life and death. We can no longer hold back.)
(After being here for so long, we never considered returning home, but now it has become a matter of life and death. We can no longer hold back.)
“May kasama kaming bata na nagsasabi, ‘Mamatay na ba tayo kapag may bombahan?’”
“May kasama kaming bata na nagsasabi, ‘Mamatay na ba tayo kapag may bombahan?’”
(We have a child with us who keeps asking, ‘Are we going to die when the bombings happen?’)
(We have a child with us who keeps asking, ‘Are we going to die when the bombings happen?’)
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.
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.
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. -- with a report from AFP
Israel's bombardment has killed more than 700 people in a week, according to figures by Lebanon's health ministry. -- with a report from AFP
RELATED VIDEO:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
