PH Embassy in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq advise Filipinos to take shelter, monitor news

Filipinos in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have been advised to shelter in place until further notice, to monitor news and advisories from Philippine Embassy officials or local authorities and prepare food, water, and medicine.

"All Filipinos are urged to continue monitoring the news and heed the advisories issued by local authorities and the Embassy," the Philippine Embassy in Qatar posted early Tuesday morning (Manila time).

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, meanwhile, advised Filipinos to "monitor the news through reputable sources and check for advisories issued by the Philippine Embassy of Riyadh, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, and local Saudi authorities."

"The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to all Filipinos in the Kingdom," it added.

The Philippine Embassy in Iraq, meanwhile, also advised Filipinos to shelter in place, monitor ongoing news, and contact the Embassy Hotline (+964 783 700 5457) for emergencies.

"Filipino Nationals are advised to follow any emergency instructions that may be given by the local government authorities as applicable," the embassy said in a statement.

"Filipino Nationals are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel to Iraq due to the prevailing security situation in the region, following the developments in Iran, and the closure of the air space in Iraq," it added.

The Filipinos in Iraq were also advised to prepare adequate food, water, medicine and other necessary supplies sufficient for their needs while sheltering in place.

"If movement cannot be avoided, Filipinos already in Iraq are advised to avoid public places, monitor ongoing news, exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant for their own safety and security. Iraq remains at Alert Level 3 status."

The statements were issued after the Qatar government suspended air traffic and advised foreigners to take shelter amid threats of bombing US bases by the Iranian government.

Reuters then reported that Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid US airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital following Tehran's threat to retaliate for US airstrikes on its nuclear sites.

The Iranian military said the attack was "devastating and powerful" but US officials said no US personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.

Iran had issued threats to retaliate against the United States after US bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel's air war against Tehran, and President Donald Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled, Reuters reported. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News