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PH envoys: Contingency plans in place as US joins Iran-Israel conflict

Philippine News Agency

By Marita Moaje
June 23, 2025, 1:38 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine government has assured that contingency measures are in place to safeguard overseas Filipinos as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, now further complicated by the direct military involvement of the United States.

In a virtual briefing on Sunday night, Philippine diplomats in the Middle East, led by Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles Mandap of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, said the government is closely monitoring developments.

"As you know, the safety of our nationals, their well-being, they're the primary concern of the Philippine government and we are reacting to these developments to ensure that they are safe," Santos said.

"We are taking the necessary preparations to ensure their safety, their well-being, despite the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, and now the recent attack of the United States on Iran," he added.

Santos clarified that Jordan remains under Alert Level 1, with no direct attack on Jordan nor any immediate threat to Filipinos in the country.

However, he said that missile debris from Iran would at times hit parts of Jordan since it is in the path of missiles being fired by Iran towards Israel.

He said that there have been no reported Filipino casualties so far in Jordan, but assured that the Philippine government remains vigilant.

He said that alert level adjustments will depend on how the situation unfolds, adding that the embassy maintains active coordination with Jordanian authorities and regularly updates its contingency plans.

Mandap said that while Jordan is currently the main transit point for Filipino repatriates from Israel, alternate routes through Egypt or the Mediterranean are being considered in case of escalation of tension.

"This situation is very fluid so it's not always the case that the safe passage will be towards Jordan. Pwede po magbago 'yan (That could change), again, depending on how the war develops and how the risk spreads," Mandap said.

"It can (change) maaring sa mga darating na araw, ang Egypt ang (Egypt could be the) safe passage in the South, it could also be towards the Mediterranean, or it could be evacuation by sea, especially now that the airspace of Israel closed, all flights are suspended," he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are likewise monitoring the situation in Iran, where eight Filipinos, including seven workers and one tourist, are scheduled for repatriation.

Meanwhile, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that there are around 30 Filipino workers and over 1,100 Filipinos, mostly family members of locals, currently in Iran.

"By the embassy count, it's around 30. Of course, we know from (DFA) Secretary (Enrique) Manalo that some have already sought assistance in terms of repatriation. At ito na nga, yung announcement ni Usec. Ed de Vega, na may walong pauwi (and this was the announcement of Usec Ed that there are eight going home)," he said.

Cacdac added the Philippine government is fully aware of the situation of Filipino seafarers whose vessels are docked in the ports of Iran.

He assured that the Philippine government is also assisting them, and that the DMW will get the Filipino seafarers out of harm's way.

"Right now, we know of a case of at least two who have sought for our help and the matter is currently being addressed. Pinatawag na namin 'yung licensed manning agency tungkol dito (we have already called the licensed manning agency about this)," Cacdac said.

"I won't give any more details than that for security purposes kasi 'yung mga nakadaong doon (because those docked there) are also vulnerable security-wise, as you know," he added.

All Filipinos in the affected areas are encouraged to reach out to embassy hotlines for assistance.

The Philippine rmbassy urged Filipinos in Iran to contact the embassy for any security-related incidents, information, and requests for assistance through the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) hotline: +989122136801; email: tehran.pe@dfa.gov.ph; Facebook:/PHiniran; and Instagram: /phliniran

The 1348 DMW-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hotline also remains open for families seeking updates on their relatives.

"We are reacting swiftly, but more importantly, we are anticipating scenarios," Santos said.

"Our duty is to ensure the safety and well-being of our kababayans (nationals) amid these fast-moving developments, and we are prepared to act accordingly," he added. (PNA)