MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon urged Filipinos living in the southern part to move to Beirut or northern areas for safety after Israel bombed a bridge linking Lebanon's south to the rest of the country.
The bombing of the Qasmiyeh bridge was reportedly part of Israel's campaign against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah which recently fired rockets into Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by United States-Israel joint attack on Iran.
In an advisory on Monday, the embassy said "movement may become difficult due to the ongoing targeting of infrastructure by the IDF (Israeli Defense Force).
"Ensure that your important documents (passport and iqama) are secure and easily accessible," the embassy posted on Facebook.
There are over 14,100 Filipinos in Lebanon as of February 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
"We strongly encourage all Filipinos to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation program, open since October 2023, while the opportunity is still available," it added.
The embassy said Lebanon continues to be under Alert Level 3 status due to airstrikes and mass displacement across the country.
It advised Filipinos "to stay away from any Lebanese government infrastructures, avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings."
"Everyone is highly encouraged to stay indoors. Monitor advisories and keep track of targeted areas," the embassy said.
It reminded Filipinos "to practice due diligence in following accredited news channels for updates on the current situation."
