Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Sunday that there have been no reported Filipino casualties following the intensifying conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos communicated via a video message, emphasizing that the Philippine government is diligently monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East. This comes after Israel and the US initiated airstrikes against Iran, which responded by targeting American bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Israel.
Marcos assured that as of 9 o'clock Sunday, there were no reports of Filipino casualties. "Right now, as of 9 o'clock Sunday, we have not received any reports of Filipino casualties. No Filipinos have died, no Filipinos have been injured," he stated. The President also confirmed that Philippine embassies and labor offices in the region have been actively observing the situation since Saturday afternoon.
He further noted that Filipinos in the affected regions have relocated to safer areas, including bomb shelters, steering clear of potential targets like American military installations. "When we heard that this war had started, we were already monitoring our embassies, our labor attach©s, all our embassies in the Middle East late yesterday afternoon," Marcos said.
President Marcos acknowledged that the situation is fluid and emphasized the need for continued vigilance. "I think this conflict will continue," he remarked.
The conflict escalated as the US and Israel embarked on a significant military campaign against Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump stated that the operation aimed to diminish Tehran's military capabilities and counteract what Washington perceives as a nuclear threat. In response, Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel and attacked US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
With millions of overseas Filipino workers residing in the Middle East, the instability in the region remains a significant concern for the Philippine government.
