MANILA, Philippines — Philippine embassies across the Middle East have been placed on “full alert,” with officials urging all Filipinos in the region to limit their movements as the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States reaches a dangerous new peak.
Widespread Travel Warnings:
The advisory covers Filipinos living and working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan. The warning comes as Iran launched a series of retaliatory missile attacks on several U.S. military bases in the region, including:
- Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
- Al Salem Base in Kuwait
- Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE
- US 5th Fleet Base in Bahrain
Explosions and sirens have already been reported in major cities like Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Kuwait City, prompting local authorities to issue emergency alerts to residents.
Airspace Closures:
The escalating violence has led to the immediate closure of airspaces in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar. Major flight-tracking platforms have confirmed that commercial travel through these corridors has been suspended indefinitely, leaving many travelers stranded.
Official Response:
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed grave concern over the situation, calling for an immediate end to the violence and a return to diplomatic dialogue.
- Status of OFWs: As of early Sunday morning, the DFA confirmed that no Filipinos have been reported harmed or affected by the strikes.
- Embassy Readiness: Philippine diplomatic missions in Tehran (Iran) and Tel Aviv (Israel) are operating on a 24/7 basis to monitor the safety of the Filipino community and provide emergency assistance.
The Philippine government continues to monitor the situation closely, with President Marcos previously ordering all relevant agencies to ensure the welfare of the millions of Filipinos currently caught in the crossfire of this rapidly expanding regional conflict.