The Philippine Air Force (PAF) assured Sunday they are ready to conduct possible mass repatriation of Filipinos in Lebanon as tension in the Middle East escalates further with nations around the world marking the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
PAF Spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo told the Manila Standard that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are capable of organizing massive evacuation efforts through the air force personnel and our C130 planes.
“Regarding this, the PAF is a force provider for AFP-directed missions. If in case called upon by higher headquarters to assist in the evacuation/repatriation of Filipinos from conflict areas overseas, the PAF is capable for such missions using our heavy airlift aircraft such as the C130,” Castillo said.
Flight cancellations going to and from Lebanon delayed the repatriation of over a dozen of Filipinos there.
Fifteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were supposed to be flown back to the country this week. They were originally scheduled to depart Lebanon last Sept. 25, but their flights were rescheduled anew following recent explosions in Beirut.
Of the 15, three OFWs, including one with a medical condition, are rescheduled to fly home on Oct. 11, while the remaining 12 will join 17 other OFWs who are set for repatriation on Oct. 22, “barring unforeseen circumstances,” according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
The DMW added that the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Beirut is also arranging the repatriation of 63 more OFWs with complete documentation and clearances to leave Lebanon.
Castillo, however, said that no other details regarding that mission can be shared as of this time.
