Thousands of Filipinos in the Middle East have been placed on alert after the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region.
Amid the escalating conflict, a Filipina caregiver was killed during a missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on March 1 that the victim was Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a caregiver from Pangasinan who was in the area at the time of the attack.
In response to the growing tensions, Marcos ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to determine the whereabouts of Filipinos in affected areas and implement contingency measures to ensure their safety.
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed concern over the escalation and called on all parties to “resort immediately” to dialogue and negotiations to prevent further violence.
It added that Philippine embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are on “full alert,” along with diplomatic posts in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that host large Filipino communities.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to remain indoors and prepare to seek shelter. Public gatherings have been prohibited, while offices and institutions are temporarily closed except for essential services.
Philippine embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan have also urged Filipinos to limit movement as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Iraq has placed the country under Alert Level 3 and advised Filipinos to stay inside their residences.
“If movement cannot be avoided, Filipinos are advised to avoid public places, monitor ongoing news, exercise extreme caution, and remain vigilant for their own safety and security,” the embassy said.
There are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, mostly caregivers, and more than 1,000 in Iran. In total, over two million Filipinos reside and work across the Middle East.
Marcos assured the public that the Philippine government is “closely and continuously” monitoring developments. The DFA said it is coordinating with Israeli authorities to assist De Vera’s family and ensure the safety of Filipinos in affected areas.
As of writing, there have been no reports of additional Filipino casualties or injuries in West Asia.
DND, AFP say Middle East conflict poses “no direct” threat to PH
In a statement issued March 1, the Department of National Defense (DND) said the exchange of airstrikes among the United States, Israel, and Iran remains confined to the Middle East and poses no direct threat to the Philippines.
“At the moment, the conflict is contained within the Middle East and there is no credible direct threat to our territory and to Filipino and foreign citizens in the country,” the DND said.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and to rely only on official sources for updates.
In addition, the DND and AFP warned against the spread of disinformation that could cause unnecessary panic.
“We urge vigilance against disinformation and condemn those who unnecessarily rouse panic during these circumstances,” the DND added.
For its part, the DND and AFP said they are closely monitoring developments and are prepared to assist in humanitarian and evacuation efforts, including repatriation operations if necessary.
“The AFP remains on standby to support the national government’s response should the situation require it. Upon directive, we are prepared to assist in humanitarian missions, evacuation efforts, and potential repatriation operations for Filipinos in affected areas,” Padilla said.
23 int’l flights cancelled, 3 diverted as ME tensions disrupt PH routes
Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it is monitoring flight operations that have disrupted routes to and from the region.
Since February 28, 23 international flights have been canceled and others diverted due to airspace restrictions and safety concerns:
Canceled flights:
- Cebu Pacific – 2
- Philippine Airlines – 8
- Qatar Airways – 2
- Gulf Air – 1
- Etihad Airways – 4
- Emirates – 6
Diverted flights:
- Philippine Airlines – 2
- Qatar Airways – 1
“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in constant coordination with airlines, airport authorities, and international aviation partners. The safety and security of passengers and flight operations remain our highest priority,” CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario said in line with the directives of Marcos Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
The agency also advised affected passengers to contact their respective airlines for rebooking, refund options, and updated flight information.
Escalating strikes kill Iran’s Supreme Leader
Amid mounting tensions over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, United States President Donald Trump announced that the country, alongside Israel, launched what he described as “major combat operations” and a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran.
According to state media, the initial wave of airstrikes struck central Tehran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with several of his family members.
State television further confirmed that Iran’s chief of army staff, Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi, and Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in a strike targeting a defense council meeting on March 1, alongside other senior military officials.
Iranian reports also claimed at least 51 students were killed and dozens wounded after a strike hit a girls’ school in southern Iran, though those figures have not been independently verified.
“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iran retaliated through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, launching drones and missiles toward Israel and US bases in the region.
