Filipinos in Lebanon told to stay put amid unrest
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wants Filipino workers in Lebanon to stay indoors after tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a third day of protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption.
“Filipinos are urged to stay away from areas where protests are taking place, and to remain indoors as much as possible,” the agency said in a statement late Saturday.
Filipinos there are yet to be affected by the demonstrations, DFA said, citing the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon.
“It will continue to monitor the situation and will provide the corresponding public advisory as necessary,” it said.
A Lebanese Christian party quit the coalition government on Saturday after street protests sparked by anger over the rising cost of living and new tax plans, including a fee on WhatsApp calls, broke out. The government later withdrew the plan to tax WhatsApp calls.
Lebanon’s finance minister announced after a meeting with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in a tweet there would be a “reassuring solution” to the economic crisis.
Samir Geagea, who heads the Lebanese Forces party, said his group was resigning from the government after protesters marched in Beirut, Tripoli and other cities.
“We are now convinced that the government is unable to take the necessary steps to save the situation,” he said. “Therefore, the bloc decided to ask its ministers to resign from the government.”
The rallyists were demanding a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon’s political system, citing grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure.
The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon earlier asked Filipino migrants to avoid areas flocked by protesters.
“Avoid places with many people, and where there are protests including burning of tires and similar acts,” the embassy said in Filipino on Facebook on Oct. 18.
Filipinos who need help should contact the embassy through its hot line at (+9613) 859430, it said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
