Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday stated that the crisis alert levels for Filipinos residing in the Middle East remain unchanged amid ongoing regional tensions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA assured that the Philippine government, through its embassies and consulates in the Middle East, is committed to providing assistance to Filipino nationals. The department emphasized its continuous coordination with the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the region and has been actively monitoring the situation over the past 72 hours to determine the status of Filipinos in their respective jurisdictions.
The DFA detailed the conditions under which different alert levels are issued. Alert Level 1 (precautionary phase) is declared when there are signs of internal disturbance or instability, or when an external threat is limited to a specific area. Alert Level 2 (restriction) indicates that violence or instability has spread to neighboring areas or that attacks are imminent. Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation) is activated when unrest significantly escalates, and Alert Level 4 necessitates mandatory evacuation due to large-scale civil conflict or a full-blown external attack.
Currently, Jordan, which hosts the largest number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at 41,462, is under Alert Level 1. Countries such as Iran, Kurdistan, Israel, and the West Bank in the State of Palestine are under Alert Level 2. Filipinos in these areas are advised to shelter in place, avoid high-risk areas, and exercise increased caution, with travel strongly discouraged. Alert Level 3 is imposed on Iraq and Lebanon, while Gaza is under Alert Level 4 due to extensive conflict or full-blown attacks.
The DFA highlighted that Israel has 30,347 OFWs, while Iran is home to 823. Additionally, Gaza and the West Bank collectively have 411 Filipino workers.
In a Palace briefing on Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac noted that the Alert Level 2 declaration is sufficient to trigger a deployment ban for newly hired OFWs. Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan encouraged affected OFWs and their families to follow updates and access emergency numbers via the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), OWWA, and DFA social media pages.
The DFA provided crucial contact information for OFWs and their families seeking assistance in various Middle Eastern countries, covering nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, and Syria.
