The Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines have stated that the ongoing Middle East conflict poses no direct threat to the country's territory. Authorities report no Filipino casualties from the attacks. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to ensure the safety of millions of overseas Filipino workers in the region.
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of others, including children at a school in Minab. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US and Israeli bases in the Persian Gulf, affecting the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. Iranian state media reported Khamenei's family also killed, with at least 100 children dying in the school attack.
In the Philippines, the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issued a statement on March 1, saying the conflict is limited to the Middle East with no credible direct threat to the territory or citizens. "At the moment, the conflict is contained within the Middle East and there is no credible direct threat to our territory and Filipino and foreign citizens in the country," the DND said. AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla urged Filipinos to remain calm yet vigilant, relying on official information, and warned against disinformation that could cause unnecessary panic.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Migrant Workers to implement emergency measures for overseas Filipino workers' safety. He stated no Filipinos had been hurt as of 9 a.m. on March 1. DMW data shows 1.113 million land-based OFWs in the Middle East, mostly in the UAE (397,892) and Saudi Arabia (386,699).
Due to airspace closures, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific adjusted flights: diverting or canceling routes to Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha. For instance, PR654 (Manila-Riyadh) returned to Manila. Airlines and NAIA advised checking flight status before travel.
The AFP is prepared to assist in humanitarian and evacuation operations. Filipinos can contact OWWA at numbers like 138 in Metro Manila or +63 915 079 5005 on Globe.
