The Department of Foreign Affairs is considering raising the alert level status for Filipinos in Lebanon to alert level 3, or voluntary repatriation, an official disclosed Thursday.

In an interview on Daily Tribune's Usapang OFW, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said this is to protect Filipinos from escalating tension from the Israel-Hamas armed conflict that is already spilling over its neighboring countries such as Lebanon.

"We are also thinking—we will announce it soon—to raise the alert level in Lebanon, meaning we will offer voluntary repatriation for our Filipinos because the war may reach there," De Vega said.

He noted that the 67 Filipinos in southern Lebanon, which is controlled by the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, were advised to leave the area and find a safer place.

"They are now moving to a safer place or where there is no danger. But we are checking on them because we have a contingency plan in place," De Vega said.

Earlier this week, at least five Hezbollah fighters were killed in a series of low-level skirmishes with Israel.

In a separate media briefing, De Vega said there are 3,000 Filipinos in Lebanon.