from Sun.Star Zamboanga

PARTY-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman of Anak Mindanao (Amin) disclosed that several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in strife-torn Lebanon have refused to come home despite the mandatory evacuation of the government.

The order for mandatory evacuation was issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after Israeli troops had continue to attack Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Hataman said on Monday over RGMA-Super Radyo from Beirut that several OFWs are willing to take the risk than to return to the Philippines, saying "we don't have jobs to earn a living" in the country.

Hataman is in Beirut, as he was invited to join the group of peace corps from different countries, to visit and see the prevailing situation in Lebanon.

Of course, he said, there are also those who are eager to go home especially the ones working in southern Lebanon, the center of Israel's attack on Hezbollah guerrillas.

He said there was another batch of 461 OFWs who boarded buses on Sunday to Damascus, where they will take the plane back to the Philippines.

Over 30,000 OFWs are in Lebanon. Since July 23 to August 10, there were already 3,710 OFWs who had returned home.