PH embassy urges Pinoys in Lebanon to take precautions after airstrike in Syria

The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon has called on Filipinos residing there to take necessary precautions in the wake of the recent airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus near the country’s border with Syria.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Philippine embassy warned that, “The situation in the region may be volatile, and it is crucial to stay informed and cautious at all times.”

Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran’s embassy in Damascus on Monday in a strike that killed an Iranian military commander and marked a major escalation in Israel’s war with its regional adversaries, according to a Reuters report.

Iran has said it reserves the right “to take a decisive response.”

Reuters also reported that the United States was on high alert and preparing for a possible attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region in response to the airstrike.

The Philippine embassy advised Filipinos to stay updated with news updates on the security situation in Lebanon and surrounding areas through reputable and official sources.

It also advised them to “adhere to any directives or advisories issued by the local authorities. They are in place to ensure your safety and well-being. If there are any specific instructions or protocols you need to follow, please comply with them as soon as possible.”

Participation in demonstrations, protests, or public gatherings were discouraged as these could “potentially escalate and pose risks to your safety.”

For concerns by Filipinos in Lebanon, the Philippine Embassy provided its hotline numbers — Embassy ATN hotline: 70 858 086 and Migrant Workers Office hotline: 79 110 729.

Returning from Syria

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported that it has repatriated three distressed overseas Filipino workers from Syria on April 4, Thursday.

“Damascus PE (Philippine embassy) team coordinated with concerned authorities to facilitate the OFWs’ immediate return to the Philippines following their clearance of all court cases and immigration liabilities,” the embassy said.

In view of the current situation in Syria, the embassy said, the three OFWs departed from the Rafic Al Hariri International Airport in Beirut “to ensure their safe and seamless journey home.” — VDV, GMA Integrated News