PH calls for de-escalation, 'take the path of diplomacy' after US strike on Iran

The Philippines has called for de-escalation of tensions and called on concerned parties to pursue diplomacy after the United States struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend.

In a statement late Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the country, which has a huge presence of workers in the Middle East, is "greatly concerned" over the developments in the region "in these last few hours."

"We strongly urge concerned parties to take the path of diplomacy and avoid further escalation of
this conflict that could threaten regional and international peace and security," it said.

There are around 30,000 mostly  Filipino caregivers in Israel and over 1,100 in Iran.

The Philippines is one of the world’s top labor-exporting nations with about 10 million skilled and unskilled workers scattered abroad, exposing them to civil strife and armed conflict, abuses, and unfair labor practices.

Remittances from Filipino migrant workers constitute a significant source of the country’s foreign exchange as they send home over $35 billion per year.

"The welfare and safety of Filipinos in the region are of primordial concern, and the Philippine government will relentlessly continue to advance and prioritize their protection," the DFA said.

Israel began attacking Iran last June 13, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel, denied the accusation, noting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes as a party to the international Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Israel is not a party to the NPT and is believed to be the only country in the Middle East to have nuclear weapons. Israel neither confirmed nor denied that.

In a televised address, President Donald Trump said the US "obliterated" Iran's key nuclear facilities — Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow — and called the strikes a "spectacular military success." Iran vowed to retaliate.

"The Philippines continues to reiterate the need for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this crisis," the DFA said.

The Philippine government on Friday raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation amid ongoing armed hostilities between the two Middle Eastern countries.

Philippine officials said it may enforce mandatory evacuations from Israel and Iran if the war escalates and the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is prepared to help in a large-scale repatriation of Filipinos from the danger zones.

The Philippines is also eyeing alternative exit routes for Filipinos, including Egypt and the Mediterranean, aside from Jordan, officials added.

Most of the Filipino workers and residents in Israel and Iran have chosen to stay despite the alarming exchange of missile attacks between the Middle Eastern countries, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.

However, Filipinos who would seek Philippine government assistance for repatriation may increase with the involvement of the US in the conflict, which is seen to further escalate tensions in the area.

About 223 Filipinos have so far registered for repatriation from Israel, including a group of 26, who managed to cross safely to Jordan, which allowed them to stay for up to 72 hours to book a commercial flight to Manila.

They are expected to arrive in Manila on Tuesday, Cacdac said.

Some 8 Filipinos were injured in Israel due to Iran’s missile attack, but seven have been discharged from hospitals. One, who was earlier reported to be seriously injured, is in stable condition, Philippine embassy officials said.

Philippine embassies in the region, meanwhile, are ready to provide necessary assistance to Filipinos in their jurisdictions, the DFA said. —KG, GMA Integrated News