Saudi-Lebanon tensions keeping OFWs on their toes

 By LUCKY MAE F. QUILAO

News about the current rift between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon has already reached Filipino workers in Lebanon, with some already making plans of evacuating if the situation worsens while others do not see the need to.
"Kung sakali man na magkagulo, paalam na ako kaagad," said Analiza Gonzales Cutaran, 36, a domestic helper who cares for two children, via email. "Mas mahalaga ang buhay ko dahil maraming umaasa."
Lebanon has been thrust to the center of regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran since the Saudi-allied Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri quit as prime minister, blaming Iran and Hizbollah in his resignation speech.
Cutaran, who said she had learned what happened to al-Hariri last week from her boss’ driver, said so far security in Lebanon remains normal.
"Hindi naman mahigpit ang security dito. Hindi ako madalas magpunta sa mall kasi wala naman akong day-off. Pero dati, marami ng mga checkpoints, ilang taon na," she said.
Another Filipino domestic helper, Aizah Acosta Palitayan, on the other hand, has no plans of leaving her job despite the crisis.
"Okay naman kalagayan ko dito sa Lebanon. Hindi naman kinakabahan employers ko. Alam ko ang crisis nila ngayon dito sa Lebanon pero okay naman trabaho ko dito," she said.
Another OFW, Rose Matunding, said she sees no reason why they should be alarmed in Lebanon, echoing Cutaran's observation that everything there seems normal so far.
"Sobra lang naman iyong balita. Pero normal naman kami dito, nakakapag-off pa rin. Walang checkpoint to check iyong mga bags. Kung meron man checkpoint, iyong hinahanap nila nga walang papel. Wala din curfew," she said.
"Hindi naman ako nag-alala kasi pag medyo delikado na ang panahon, magsasabi din ang employer na huwag muna lalabas. We’ll pray na lang na walang mangyayaring gulo dito," Matunding added. —KBK, GMA News

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