The Philippine military has assessed that ongoing hostilities in the Middle East pose no direct threat to the country or to people within its borders. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated that “the tensions remain limited to the Middle East region, and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory or to Filipinos and foreign nationals within the country.”
The assurance came as the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on Saturday, prompting an Iranian missile strike on Israel and sharply escalating regional tensions.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said authorities are not yet at the stage of ordering overseas Filipino workers out of the region. “Alam natin nirerepaso rin ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) ‘yung mga alert levels. So wala pa tayo sa punto ng mass or mandatory repatriation,” he said Sunday.
Cacdac was careful to frame the situation without alarming OFWs still working in affected areas. “We definitely don’t want to sound grave alarm, we don’t want to send a message of panic amongst our OFWs. Ayaw natin silang lubos na kabahan,” he said.
Embassies and Migrant Workers Offices have already issued advisories instructing Filipinos to follow host country rules and emergency protocols. Cacdac relayed the guidance directly: “They need to be careful of course, kaya’t may mga advisories nang ipinalabas ang embahada at Migrant Workers Office natin to abide by host country rules, abide by protocols, alarms, and times in which you should be in a shelter.”
He also cautioned workers to avoid entanglement in local political disputes, particularly online. “So sumunod sa batas, huwag makihalo sa mga political discussions or concerns lalo na sa social media,” Cacdac added.
Vice President Sara Duterte separately urged Filipinos in affected areas to seek safe locations, secure their passports, and keep important documents within reach. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said the government is closely monitoring developments in the region.
