Despite the ongoing events for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Laos, President Marcos has convened a Zoom meeting with relevant government agencies and directed them to mobilize resources for the safe and timely repatriation of Filipinos affected by the crisis in the Middle East.

In the Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the President told government officials to evacuate the Filipinos in any way possible.

"We are now going to evacuate our people by whatever means—by air, or by sea," he told Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año who were all present in the virtual meeting.

According to the President, the government should utilize assets in nearby areas to quickly assist the Filipinos in need.

"Kung may barko tayong kukunin, nandiyan na malapit na sa Beirut na sandali lang basta’t the Embassy gives us the clearance and they say that our people can go, mailabas na kaagad natin so that hindi sila naghihintay ng matagal in danger areas (If we're going to use a ship, pick one near Beirut so we'll not take too much time once the Embassy clears us and announces that our people in danger areas can go)," he said.

"We are going to have to evacuate them. Now, the means by which we will do that is something that we still have to determine because it is an evolving situation. So, bantayan na lang natin (Let's watch out)," he added.

Marcos' remarks came after Teodoro reported that while the government is prepared for the repatriation, they await clearances from Lebanon before proceeding.

According to Teodoro, the repatriation will start once they get all the necessary exit clearance.

"We’re ready, willing, and able [to repatriate Filipinos] at any time," he told the President.

"We’re just waiting for the diplomatic clearances of the expatriates to be processed out of Beirut," he added.

Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat told President Marcos all available measures would be exhausted to expedite the exit clearances, enabling the government to proceed with the repatriation.

Israeli warplanes launched over 30 overnight air raids on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Oct. 6. As of Oct. 7, there are no reported injuries or casualties among Filipinos since the airstrikes focused on southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

In response to the escalating tensions, the alert level in Lebanon was raised from Level 2 to Level 3 in October 2023, prompting the government to initiate the repatriation of Filipino nationals. The Philippine Embassy in Beirut is mobilizing resources to prepare for a potential widespread conflict.

As of Oct. 8, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut has received 1,721 applications for repatriation, with 511 already repatriated and 171 ready for repatriation.

Each repatriated overseas Filipino worker received financial assistance worth P150,000 from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through the DMW AKSYON Fund and the OWWA Emergency Repatriation Fund.

The DMW and OWWA likewise extended reintegration assistance to them while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided them with psychosocial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They also received medical assistance from the Department of Health (DOH).

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also distributed training vouchers to the repatriated OFWs.