Senators urge gov't to protect OFWs amid escalating Middle East conflict

Senators on Monday called on the government to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as tensions escalate across the Middle East.

In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Malacañang to avoid complacency amid worsening hostilities between Israel and Iran, and to prepare for the potential impact of armed conflict.

Hontiveros warned that the “rapidly escalating conflict” could affect not only the estimated 29,473 Pinoys in Israel and 1,184 in Iran, but also the wider Filipino population of about 2.2 million in the Middle East  — especially after Iran’s recent threat of retaliation against American facilities or personnel in multiple countries throughout the region.

“The whole of government must prepare measures to safeguard OFWs in the region,” Hontiveros said. “Millions of Filipinos will be affected if the crisis worsens.”

“There is no room for complacency. What exactly is the government’s level of preparedness? Is there already a plan in place to rescue the vast number of OFWs?” she added.

The senator also asked if the alert level system being relied upon by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to warn OFWs in Israel and Iran is still adequate “given the almost daily escalations in violence and disruption in the two countries.”

“According to the DFA, Alert Level 4 has not yet been declared and they are still waiting for recommendations from the ambassadors. Meanwhile, many other European and Asian countries are already evacuating their citizens through remaining air and land routes. While it is important for the Pinoy community to remain calm, I hope we don’t wait to evacuate until it’s already too late,” Hontiveros said.

The DFA previously placed Israel and Iran under Alert Level 3, which means the government may carry out voluntary repatriations of Filipinos in both countries.

Hontiveros called on both the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to finalize contingency plans, including securing resources for mass evacuation and emergency support.

The senator then emphasized that given the potential deadly and destructive effects of the Iran-Israel conflict, the government should make the safety of OFWs in the Middle East “an urgent national priority.”

“Let us prioritize the safety of our OFWs. We must not be complacent, and we must not ignore the danger. Otherwise, many of our fellow Filipinos will be affected, and this will become a major new crisis for the entire country,” Hontiveros said.

Senator Joel Villanueva echoed her concerns, urging affected Filipinos to coordinate with embassies and for agencies to treat all repatriation requests with urgency and compassion.

“Our government agencies, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), are responding to repatriation requests from our fellow Filipinos in these areas,” Villenueva said.

“We urge our kababayans to coordinate closely with the DFA, DMW, and our embassies to facilitate repatriation, and we call on these agencies to prioritize these requests with urgency and compassion,” he added.

He also called on the Marcos administration’s economic team to assess the potential fallout from the conflict.

“At the same time, we must assess the potential impact of the escalating situation in Israel and Iran on our economy. Our economic managers should immediately conduct a thorough analysis and formulate strategies to mitigate any adverse effects on the country’s economic stability,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in easing tensions.

“Diplomacy should always prioritize tact over aggression, and dialogue must take precedence over hostility. I stand with those who strongly advocate for restraint, open communication, and the de-escalation of the armed conflict between Israel and Iran,” Estrada said.

He noted that while the armed conflict is far from the Philippines, its impacts are real – especially on Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East.

“Even though this conflict is far from us, we cannot help but worry about the worsening situation, especially with the countless innocent civilians affected—including our fellow Filipinos who live and work in the Middle East,” he said.

Estrada also urged the DFA and other concerned agencies to reassure OFWs and their families that assistance is readily available.

“While our government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies, is closely monitoring the situation, I urge them to continually reassure our fellow citizens that we are prepared to provide all necessary assistance and protection,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all civilians, especially our kababayans in Israel and Iran, who are caught in the crossfire,” he added.