In Vientiane, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is making sure that Filipinos in the Middle East can safely return home. During a meeting with government leaders on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit, he told them to get everything ready to help those affected by the ongoing crisis in that region.
Marcos held an online meeting with important Cabinet members, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año. They discussed how to help Filipinos in danger.
The President emphasized, “We are going to evacuate our people by any means necessary—by air or by sea.” He instructed his team to keep a close eye on the situation so they could act quickly.
Marcos explained that if they decide to send a ship, it will be close to Beirut, ready to go as soon as the Philippine Embassy gives the green light. “We want to make sure our people don’t have to wait too long in dangerous places,” he said.
Secretary Teodoro reassured everyone that the Philippine government is prepared to bring Filipinos home, but they are still waiting for official permissions from Lebanon to move forward. “We’re ready, willing, and able to repatriate Filipinos at any time,” he stated.
Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon, Raymond Balatbat, promised Marcos that all possible steps will be taken to speed up the clearance process so they can proceed with the repatriation.
Helping Our People in a Dangerous Situation
During a meet-and-greet with Filipinos in Laos, Marcos talked about his discussions with officials regarding getting Filipinos back home from the dangerous situation in Israel and Lebanon. He said, “We are figuring out how to bring our people home from Lebanon, some of whom are in Israel. They are in risky places because there is a war happening there.”
Marcos assured Filipinos that the government is in control of the situation and is prioritizing their safety and welfare. He advised those in Israel to avoid certain areas due to rising tensions.
This advice comes after Israel bombed targets in Lebanon and Gaza in response to attacks on their cities. Israel’s goal is to ensure the safety of its residents.
With the President’s commitment and the efforts of the government, there is hope for a safe return for Filipinos affected by the crisis in the Middle East.
