Lebanon grants amnesty to 13 overstaying Pinoys

The Lebanese government has granted amnesty to 13 overstaying and undocumented Filipinos, allowing them to leave Beirut voluntarily without imprisonment or payment of fines.

Chargé d’Affaires Nestor Padalhin of the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Philippine Mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers made representations with Lebanon for the granting of amnesty to the Filipinos.

Those allowed to leave Beirut were Rosvie Orale, Marc Anthony Orale, Marc Anjelo Orale, Lani Dequito, Angela Dequito, Marilou Dequito, Josefina Prado, Emmanuel Prado, Mary Prado, Alma Poblacion, Troy Jonnel Poblacion, Regina Taqueban and Yvanna Daniellee de Jesus.

Padalhin said the embassy is also seeking amnesty for another group of 20 Filipinos who are either aged or having health problems.

Their application for amnesty, according to Padalhin, is being considered by the Surete Generale (Immigration), the Lebanese government agency under the Ministry of Interior that is primarily responsible for the entry and exit of foreigners in Lebanon.

He added that at least 62 Filipinos have been granted amnesty by the Lebanese government while 49 Filipinos had already left Beirut last March.

As of January 2005, the embassy said an estimated 1,000 Filipinos in Lebanon do not have the proper immigration papers.

Padalhin assured that the embassy continued to make representations for their voluntary repatriation or the grant of amnesty by Lebanon. — Pia Lee-Brago