PH monitors rising tensions in Israel, Iran, Lebanon

MANILA – The Philippines is closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos in Israel, Lebanon and Iran as the region braces for a potential escalation of conflict after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

Tehran and the Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the Wednesday assassination, but the latter has yet to confirm nor deny its involvement.

On Monday, the Iranian government warned of retaliation, sparking fears that Israel's conflict with the Hamas and its allies, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, would develop into a larger regional war.

Several countries have already advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, such as South Korea, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Philippines also previously urged Filipinos to voluntarily evacuate after raising Alert Level 3 in Lebanon.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the political situation in Lebanon, Iran and Israel and throughout the region to keep our Filipinos abreast of all potential emergencies at regional, national and community levels," Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega told the Philippine News Agency.

He said "most Filipinos choose to stay in Lebanon despite the heightened crisis" and that there are "no upshift" in the number of those who want to return to the Philippines.

There are an estimated 11,291 Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon, De Vega said, citing the latest official figures of the Lebanese Immigration.

Excluded from the data are irregular migrants who either entered illegally or have no residence permits.

Since the Middle East crisis began when the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023, the Philippines has repatriated 300 Filipinos out of Lebanon while 600 are awaiting clearance.

"The Philippine government stands ready to provide repatriation assistance to any or all of our overseas Filipinos living and working in Lebanon, mainly in the capital, Beirut," De Vega said.

In Israel, the DFA is still waiting for the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv on whether to raise the crisis alert level.

"The Filipinos in Israel (about 30,000) are safe and have not indicated any interest to go home," he said.

On Aug. 5, the United Nations called for an urgent de-escalation as it warns against a wider war in the Middle East.

"I am deeply worried about the rising risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and plead with all parties, along with those States with influence, to act urgently to de-escalate what has become a very precarious situation," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said.

"Human rights – first and foremost the protection of civilians – must be the top priority. Already, over the past 10 months, civilians, mostly women and children, have endured unbearable pain and suffering as result of the bombs and guns," he added. (PNA)