Mga Panghitabo (News)

MANILA, Philippines–Filipino workers in Lebanon have been advised to stay indoors and keep off the streets amid the escalating violence between two Muslim factions in the country.

Joseph Assad, honorary consul of Lebanon to the Philippines, said on Sunday the 25,000 Filipino household helpers in Lebanon should follow their employers’ instructions like moving to safer grounds if need be, to stay out of harm’s way.

"Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will not be exposed to harm or accidental shootings between warring groups as long as they follow instructions from their employers," Assad said in a statement.

The Lebanese consul added that he has been continually monitoring the situation in his country and would immediately advise Philippine officials on any action necessary to protect Filipinos in Lebanon.

Hezbollah gunmen seized control of several West Beirut neighborhoods from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government on Friday. Security officials said at least 11 people were killed and more than 20 wounded in three days of street battles and gunfights.

Assad said political factions in Beirut have since been trying to forge a dialogue between the Shiite and Sunni groups to prevent any additional violence.

Abdul Kader Al Jadid, president of the Filipino-Lebanese Friendship Association said he was hopeful the situation would subside "very soon."

Al Jadid quoted latest reports from Beirut announcing that the Lebanese Army has started taking over parts of West Beirut as Hezbollah fighters have begun returning to their territories in the south of the city.

"Filipino domestic helpers were very much in demand in Lebanon before the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict when the Philippine government forcibly evacuated 7,000 OFWs with the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)," Al Jadid said.

He added that 20,000 Filipino workers who refused to leave their jobs were left in Lebanon. Around 5,000 Filipino household workers have since returned to the Middle Eastern country despite a deployment ban declared by the Philippine government.