February 28, 2026
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the Gulf region, following coordinated airstrikes by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran.
In an X post, Marcos said the Philippine government is gathering additional information about the attacks.
He ordered the concerned agencies to implement contingency plans and take measures to keep Filipinos in affected areas safe.
“In the meantime, the safety of Filipino citizens in Iran and in the Middle East is paramount,” Marcos said. “I have instructed the DFA and the DMW to take measures to determine their whereabouts in affected areas and to take immediate measures to ensure their safety.”
The DFA expressed the Philippines’ concern over the escalated tensions in the Middle East and called on all parties to seek dialogue and negotiations to bring peace and stability to the region.
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro assured Marcos that the Philippine Embassies in Tehran, Iran and Tel Aviv, Israel are “on full alert” and ready to assist affected Filipinos.
Embassies in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which host a large number of Filipinos, are also on full alert.
According to DFA reports, no Filipinos were reported affected or harmed during the aerial attacks.
“The President is deeply concerned for the safety of Filipinos in Iran, Israel and all the countries in the region,” the DFA said in a statement. “We continue to advise Filipinos to stay in their homes or safe places and refrain from going out to public places at this time.”
According to reports, the US and Israel launched coordinated multiple strikes against multiple targets across Iran. Explosions were reported in central Tehran and in other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Iran targeted a US military base in Bahrain, while two missiles were intercepted over Qatar. Explosions were reportedly heard in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. (PNA)