Analyst Urges Swift OFW Repatriation from Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
Recruitment analyst Emmanuel Geslani issued a pressing statement on Sunday, April 12, 2026, urging the Philippine government to significantly intensify its efforts to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) currently in Lebanon. This call to action comes as Lebanon faces a series of devastating bomb and rocket attacks, heightening the danger for Filipino nationals residing in the region.
Unacceptable Repatriation Numbers Highlighted
Geslani emphasized the alarming situation, noting that it is unacceptable that only seven OFWs have sought repatriation from Lebanon despite the recent surge in violence. "Repatriate more OFWs from Lebanon or more Filipinos will die in this conflict between Lebanon and Israel," he warned starkly. His statement underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard Filipino lives.
Thousands of OFWs at Risk
The analyst provided critical data on the scale of the threat. He reported that there are approximately 11,000 documented household service workers in Lebanon who are directly endangered by the ongoing war. Additionally, Geslani highlighted that an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 undocumented OFWs are also present in the crisis-torn state, further complicating rescue and repatriation efforts due to their lack of official records.
Government Repatriation Efforts Underway
In response to the escalating conflict, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has been actively engaged in repatriation operations. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced via a social media post that since the war began in the Middle East on February 28, more than 5,000 OFWs and their dependents have been successfully repatriated. "A grand total of 5,217 Filipinos are now safely home," Cacdac confirmed, detailing the government's ongoing commitment.
Recent and Upcoming Repatriation Flights
The DMW's efforts continue with recent successes. Last week, a total of 342 OFWs and their dependents were brought home via the 8th Philippine government-chartered flight from the Middle East. Looking ahead, the department announced that the 9th chartered flight is scheduled to repatriate additional OFWs from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, demonstrating a sustained and expanding operation to ensure the safety of Filipino workers abroad.
