MANILA — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs escalated crisis alert levels across much of the Middle East on Monday, placing the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel all under Alert Level 2, the “Restriction Phase,” as the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continued to intensify.
Under Alert Level 2, non-essential travel is restricted, and Filipinos are strongly advised to shelter in place, avoid mass gatherings, and prepare for possible emergency evacuation. Lebanon remains at the higher Alert Level 3 — the Voluntary Repatriation Phase — meaning Filipinos there are actively urged to leave. Jordan, which hosts the largest number of OFWs in the region at 41,462, remains at Alert Level 1. Iraq and Syria remain under the most severe Alert Level 4, requiring mandatory evacuation.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that Alert Level 2 automatically triggers a deployment ban for newly hired OFWs, while those already employed in those countries may continue working subject to safety conditions.
