70 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon arrive in Manila | ABS-CBN
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70 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon arrive in Manila
70 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon arrive in Manila
MANILA — Israeli bombs were still falling in Lebanon when domestic worker Avielyn Peñacuba flew out of Beirut, one of 70 Filipinos who arrived in Manila on Monday as part of the Philippines government’s repatriation efforts for migrant workers there.
MANILA — Israeli bombs were still falling in Lebanon when domestic worker Avielyn Peñacuba flew out of Beirut, one of 70 Filipinos who arrived in Manila on Monday as part of the Philippines government’s repatriation efforts for migrant workers there.
Overseas Filipino Workers who came home said many others are still in shelters and in need of assistance to leave the country.
Overseas Filipino Workers who came home said many others are still in shelters and in need of assistance to leave the country.
“Wala pa ring tigil ang putukan at bombahan doon sa ilang lugar… Kami ay sobrang thankful na nakauwi kami nang ligtas dito dahil… kahit nasa airport na kami ay tuloy-tuloy na ang pagsabog doon,” Peñacuba said in tears as she recalled her experience in Lebanon, where she said streets were littered by debris from the air strikes.
“Wala pa ring tigil ang putukan at bombahan doon sa ilang lugar… Kami ay sobrang thankful na nakauwi kami nang ligtas dito dahil… kahit nasa airport na kami ay tuloy-tuloy na ang pagsabog doon,” Peñacuba said in tears as she recalled her experience in Lebanon, where she said streets were littered by debris from the air strikes.
(The bombing has continued in some areas. We are thankful that we were able to come home because even when we were at the airport, we could still hear the explosions)
(The bombing has continued in some areas. We are thankful that we were able to come home because even when we were at the airport, we could still hear the explosions)
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“Hindi namin masasabi kung hanggang kailan kami magiging safe doon,” she added.
“Hindi namin masasabi kung hanggang kailan kami magiging safe doon,” she added.
(We could not say how long we would be safe there)
(We could not say how long we would be safe there)
Israel has been launching airstrikes and sending troops against the Hezbollah militant group and against targets it says are linked to the group. Hezbollah has also been launching rockets towards Israel.
Israel has been launching airstrikes and sending troops against the Hezbollah militant group and against targets it says are linked to the group. Hezbollah has also been launching rockets towards Israel.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR REPATRIATES
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the flight on Monday raised the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon since last year to 630 adults and 32 dependents.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the flight on Monday raised the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon since last year to 630 adults and 32 dependents.
“This stands as the highest number of repatriates. Ito yung batch na may pinakamaraming repatriates since we began,” he said of the arrivals on a commercial flight from Beirut that passed through Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
“This stands as the highest number of repatriates. Ito yung batch na may pinakamaraming repatriates since we began,” he said of the arrivals on a commercial flight from Beirut that passed through Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
“Sigurado tayo na may higit kumulang na 400 pa na nandoon pero fluid count ito. Ibig sabihin, posibleng madagdagan sa araw-araw,” Cacdac said.
“Sigurado tayo na may higit kumulang na 400 pa na nandoon pero fluid count ito. Ibig sabihin, posibleng madagdagan sa araw-araw,” Cacdac said.
(We have around 400 more Filipinos waiting for repatriation, but that is a fluid count. That means that number could go up by the day)
(We have around 400 more Filipinos waiting for repatriation, but that is a fluid count. That means that number could go up by the day)
The Philippine government has not yet ordered mandatory repatriation from Lebanon and, Cacdac said, has been providing post-arrival assistance for repatriates that he said he hopes will help convince Filipinos to sign up for voluntary repatriation. He urged Filipinos still in Lebanon to consider returning to Manila, saying the government has livelihood and training programs for them.
The Philippine government has not yet ordered mandatory repatriation from Lebanon and, Cacdac said, has been providing post-arrival assistance for repatriates that he said he hopes will help convince Filipinos to sign up for voluntary repatriation. He urged Filipinos still in Lebanon to consider returning to Manila, saying the government has livelihood and training programs for them.
Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon will receive P170,000 cash aid from the government through the Department of Migrant Workers’ Aksyon Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Emergency Repatriation Fund.
Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon will receive P170,000 cash aid from the government through the Department of Migrant Workers’ Aksyon Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Emergency Repatriation Fund.
The DMW earlier said there are an estimated 11,000 Filipinos residing in Lebanon.
The DMW earlier said there are an estimated 11,000 Filipinos residing in Lebanon.
“Nakikita natin na kahit papaano mayroong pagdami ng mga nagnanais na umuwi,” Cacdac said, adding some OFWs employed for household work might not want to leave their employers because of the nature of their jobs.
“Nakikita natin na kahit papaano mayroong pagdami ng mga nagnanais na umuwi,” Cacdac said, adding some OFWs employed for household work might not want to leave their employers because of the nature of their jobs.
“Personal ang rendering of service at dahil dito mayroon silang emotional at personal na dahilan kung bakit hindi nila iniiwanan ang employers nila,” he said.
“Personal ang rendering of service at dahil dito mayroon silang emotional at personal na dahilan kung bakit hindi nila iniiwanan ang employers nila,” he said.
(They render personal service, so they may have emotional and personal reasons for not wanting to leave their employers)
(They render personal service, so they may have emotional and personal reasons for not wanting to leave their employers)
MORE OFWS IN NEED OF HELP
Soriano Canor, who had worked in Lebanon since 1995, said bombs had been falling everywhere.
Soriano Canor, who had worked in Lebanon since 1995, said bombs had been falling everywhere.
“Wala kaming tulog kasi lagi kaming nayayanig. Awa ng Diyos, ligtas po naman, pero ang iba ay hindi sila makapagtrabaho,” said Canor.
“Wala kaming tulog kasi lagi kaming nayayanig. Awa ng Diyos, ligtas po naman, pero ang iba ay hindi sila makapagtrabaho,” said Canor.
(We could not sleep because of the bombing. Thank God we are safe, but many are unable to go to work)
(We could not sleep because of the bombing. Thank God we are safe, but many are unable to go to work)
“Marami pa ang nangangailangan doon,” she said.
“Marami pa ang nangangailangan doon,” she said.
(There are many more in need of help there)
(There are many more in need of help there)
In October 2023, the Philippines raised the alert level in Lebanon to Level 3, which initiated the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.
In October 2023, the Philippines raised the alert level in Lebanon to Level 3, which initiated the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.
That was the same month that Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that led to a military offensive in the Palestinian territory that has been running for more than a year.
That was the same month that Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that led to a military offensive in the Palestinian territory that has been running for more than a year.
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Trump fires top-ranked US military officer as shake-ups spread
Trump fires top-ranked US military officer as shake-ups spread
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 22, 2025 04:58 PM PHT
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President Donald Trump fired top US military officer General Charles "CQ" Brown on Friday, part of a major shake-up of the armed forces' leadership.
President Donald Trump fired top US military officer General Charles "CQ" Brown on Friday, part of a major shake-up of the armed forces' leadership.
Trump offered no explanation for Brown's dismissal less than two years into his four-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which followed sweeping layoffs of federal workers and moves to dismantle government institutions just a month into the president's second term.
Trump offered no explanation for Brown's dismissal less than two years into his four-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which followed sweeping layoffs of federal workers and moves to dismantle government institutions just a month into the president's second term.
Brown had been nominated to the top military role by Democratic president Joe Biden and became only the second Black person to hold the position.
Brown had been nominated to the top military role by Democratic president Joe Biden and became only the second Black person to hold the position.
Following Trump's announcement on Brown, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as the top US Navy officer.
Following Trump's announcement on Brown, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as the top US Navy officer.
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Trump thanked Brown for "his over 40 years of service to our country" in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing him as "a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader."
Trump thanked Brown for "his over 40 years of service to our country" in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing him as "a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader."
Brown has commanded a fighter squadron and two fighter wings, as well as US air forces under the Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command. He had served as Joint Chiefs chairman since October 2023.
Brown has commanded a fighter squadron and two fighter wings, as well as US air forces under the Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command. He had served as Joint Chiefs chairman since October 2023.
Following the 2020 murder of a Black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer in Minnesota, Brown -- an experienced fighter pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours, 130 of them in combat -- recorded an emotional video about his personal experiences, including with discrimination in the US military.
Following the 2020 murder of a Black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer in Minnesota, Brown -- an experienced fighter pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours, 130 of them in combat -- recorded an emotional video about his personal experiences, including with discrimination in the US military.
"I'm thinking about my Air Force career, where I was often the only African American in my squadron or as a senior officer, the only African American in the room," Brown said.
"I'm thinking about my Air Force career, where I was often the only African American in my squadron or as a senior officer, the only African American in the room," Brown said.
"I'm thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially for supervisors I perceive had expected less from me as an African American."
"I'm thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially for supervisors I perceive had expected less from me as an African American."
- Top Navy officer being replaced -
- Top Navy officer being replaced -
Hegseth had advocated for Brown's firing in a November podcast appearance, saying any top officers "involved in any of the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) woke shit has got to go," but told journalists last month that he was "looking forward to working" with the general.
Hegseth had advocated for Brown's firing in a November podcast appearance, saying any top officers "involved in any of the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) woke shit has got to go," but told journalists last month that he was "looking forward to working" with the general.
Trump said he was nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine to replace Brown.
Trump said he was nominating Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine to replace Brown.
He said Caine -- whom he recently described meeting in Iraq during his first term -- is "an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a 'warfighter' with significant interagency and special operations experience."
He said Caine -- whom he recently described meeting in Iraq during his first term -- is "an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a 'warfighter' with significant interagency and special operations experience."
Caine served in positions including associate director for military affairs at the CIA, as well as in various operational and staff roles, including more than 150 hours in combat as an F-16 pilot, an aircraft in which he logged more than 2,800 hours.
Caine served in positions including associate director for military affairs at the CIA, as well as in various operational and staff roles, including more than 150 hours in combat as an F-16 pilot, an aircraft in which he logged more than 2,800 hours.
Trump, in his trademark showman style, told a Saudi investor forum in Miami on Wednesday about meeting Caine in Iraq, where he was among a group of "handsome people, everybody's like from a movie set."
Trump, in his trademark showman style, told a Saudi investor forum in Miami on Wednesday about meeting Caine in Iraq, where he was among a group of "handsome people, everybody's like from a movie set."
According to Trump, Caine told the president that he went by the nickname "Razin."
According to Trump, Caine told the president that he went by the nickname "Razin."
"I said, wait a minute, your name is Razin Caine? I love you, I've been looking for you for five years ... this is what I want," Trump recounted.
"I said, wait a minute, your name is Razin Caine? I love you, I've been looking for you for five years ... this is what I want," Trump recounted.
In another major Pentagon shakeup, Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Franchetti, the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In another major Pentagon shakeup, Hegseth said he was seeking a replacement for Franchetti, the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"I am... requesting nominations for the positions of chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff," Hegseth said in a statement.
"I am... requesting nominations for the positions of chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff," Hegseth said in a statement.
"The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country," he said, without providing an explanation for their departures.
"The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country," he said, without providing an explanation for their departures.
Franchetti had previously served on a series of surface vessels, commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron and two carrier strike groups.
Franchetti had previously served on a series of surface vessels, commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron and two carrier strike groups.
She was deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and as well as in Africa, and deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development. She became vice chief of naval operations -- the service's number two position -- in September 2022, and took over the Navy's top job in November 2023.
She was deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and as well as in Africa, and deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development. She became vice chief of naval operations -- the service's number two position -- in September 2022, and took over the Navy's top job in November 2023.
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