The Philippine government is intensifying efforts to protect its citizens abroad as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with the conflict between Iran and Israel now complicated by direct U.S. military involvement, officials said Sunday.
In a virtual briefing, Philippine diplomats in the region, including Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles Mandap of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, outlined contingency measures to ensure the safety of overseas Filipinos. The government is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation, prioritizing the well-being of its nationals.
“The safety of our nationals, their well-being, is the primary concern of the Philippine government,” Santos said. “We are taking necessary preparations to ensure their safety despite the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, and now the recent U.S. attack on Iran.”
Jordan, currently under Alert Level 1, has not faced direct attacks, but missile debris from Iran targeting Israel has occasionally struck the country due to its geographic position. No Filipino casualties have been reported in Jordan, Santos confirmed, though the embassy remains vigilant and is in constant coordination with Jordanian authorities to update contingency plans.
Mandap noted that Jordan serves as the primary transit point for Filipinos repatriating from Israel, but alternative routes through Egypt or the Mediterranean are under consideration should the conflict worsen. “This situation is very fluid,” he said. “Safe passage could shift depending on how the war develops. It could be Egypt in the south, the Mediterranean, or even evacuation by sea, especially now that Israel’s airspace is closed and all flights are suspended.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are also monitoring the situation in Iran, where eight Filipinos—seven workers and one tourist—are slated for repatriation. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that approximately 30 Filipino workers and over 1,100 others, mostly family members of locals, remain in Iran.
“We know of at least two Filipino seafarers who have sought our help, and we are addressing their situation,” Cacdac said, noting that the DMW has contacted the responsible manning agency. He withheld further details for security reasons, citing the vulnerability of Filipinos on vessels docked in Iranian ports.
The Philippine government urged Filipinos in affected areas to contact embassy hotlines for assistance. The embassy in Iran provided multiple channels for support, including the Assistance to Nationals hotline (+989122136801), email (tehran.pe@dfa.gov.ph), and social media platforms. The DMW-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hotline (1348) is also available for families seeking updates.
“We are reacting swiftly, but more importantly, we are anticipating scenarios,” Santos said. “Our duty is to ensure the safety and well-being of our kababayans amid these fast-moving developments, and we are prepared to act accordingly.”
