Gov’t closely monitoring safety of Pinoys amid Middle East attacks — Marcos

The Philippine government continues to monitor the recent military escalation in the Middle East to ensure the safety of Filipinos, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday.

In an online video, Marcos said the Philippine government has been in contact with the country’s embassies and labor attachés in the Middle East since the attacks that began on Saturday.  

“At sa ngayon, patuloy ang aming pag-monitor para tiyakin na nasa magandang kalagayan ang ating mga kababayan sa Middle East,” Marcos said.

“Ito'y kailangan nating tuloy-tuloy na bantayan at hindi ito tapos pa. Palagay ko patuloy pa itong giyerang ito,” he added.

(We are continuously monitoring to ensure that our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East are safe. We need to keep a close watch on this since it is not over yet. I believe this conflict will continue.)

Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday reminded Filipinos to remain vigilant and keep open lines of communication amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement, Duterte said those in affected areas should regularly update their families and friends on their well-being.

She also advised keeping a list of emergency numbers for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and local authorities, and staying informed of official announcements.

Duterte urged Filipinos to secure passports and other important documents and to be prepared for any eventuality. She also advised avoiding areas with military operations or large public gatherings.

“Sa panahong ito ng walang katiyakan, ang inyong kaligtasan ang pinakamahalaga. Nawa’y patnubayan at ingatan kayong lahat ng Maykapal, at ipagdasal natin ang kapayapaan, pagkakaisa, at kaligtasan ng lahat ng tao sa Middle East,” Duterte said.

(In these uncertain times, your safety is of utmost importance. May God guide and protect you all, and let us pray for peace, unity, and the safety of everyone in the Middle East.) 

The Department of Migrant Workers earlier reported that Filipinos have so far remained safe after the United States and Israel launched air strikes against targets in Iran to which the Islamic republic countered with retaliatory attacks. 

For emergencies, Filipinos may contact OWWA at (+632) 1348 (international), 1348 (Metro Manila), and (02) 1348 (Regional, mobile number).

They may also contact the following numbers posted on OWWA’s Facebook page.—RF/MCG, GMA Integrated News