THE Philippine government has contingency measures in place to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, Malacañang said Monday, June 16, 2025.
This follows Israel’s initial strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure on Friday, June 13, which triggered days of retaliatory attacks between the two countries.
In a briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said concerned agencies are prepared should the situation worsen.
“The DFA has assured that there is a contingency plan in place should Filipinos need to be evacuated from Iran. In Israel, a team has already been deployed to ensure the condition of our compatriots,” Castro said in Tagalog.
She added that of the four Filipinos injured in the recent attacks, two have been discharged from the hospital while the other two remain under medical care.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) to act swiftly in aiding Filipinos affected by the conflict, according to Castro.
“The President’s directive to the DFA, DMW and Owwa is to provide immediate assistance to our countrymen. No one is left behind — that is the President’s instruction,” she said.
On the possibility of forced repatriation, the Palace said the situation has not reached that point but assured readiness if the need arises.
“It has not come to that point yet, but our agencies are ready if repatriation is necessary,” Castro said. / PNA