MANILA — Despite the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, many Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon are choosing to stay, confident that the hostilities will remain confined to Hezbollah-controlled areas.
Mie Romagos, a Filipino based in Beirut for the past 13 years, shared that she and several other OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) declined the Philippine government’s offer of repatriation.
Out of the estimated 10,000 Filipinos currently residing in Lebanon, only around 1,500 have opted for repatriation, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday.
“Sobrang dami pa rin po na ayaw pa rin pong bumalik, kabilang na rin ako don,” said Romagos, who works as a secretary in Beirut.
She mentioned in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo that most of Israel’s airstrikes have been concentrated in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah forces are believed to be based.
“Nandito naman po kami sa Beirut, ang Beirut sa ngayon ay okay naman po. Ang south lang po ang medyo binomba nang sunod-sunod po talaga… Nagbabala naman ang Israel bago sila tumira,” Romagos said.
Lebanese officials reported to the United Nations that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 558 deaths, including 50 children.
Romagos added that Filipino community leaders in Lebanon are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring they can warn fellow OFWs in case they are at risk of being affected by the conflict.
“Talagang nag-ano kami asan nag-airstrike, chine-check kung may kababayan kami nandon,” she explained.
Romagos expressed confidence that in the event the conflict spreads to Beirut, they would find shelters to protect themselves.
“Sana matapos na ito kasi hindi lang naman Pilipino ang naiipit, pati mga lokal dito, nakakalungkot lang kailangan pa maging ganito,” she added.
Israel has indicated plans to shift its attention toward Hezbollah, after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges that began in October, as part of Hezbollah’s support for Hamas in its conflict with Israel.