Sen. Bong Go calls for swift assistance and reintegration for OFWs as Middle East tensions escalate, urges sustained readiness of DMW and DFA

“Nananawagan din tayo sa mga kaukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na bantayang maigi ang sitwasyon, partikular sa mga lugar na tinatamaan ng missile at drone attacks sa Middle East. Kung kinakailangang ilikas at i-repatriate ang ating mga kababayan, gawin natin ito agad. Siguraduhin din nating nakalatag na ang sapat na tulong at reintegration programs para sa mga uuwing OFWs,” Go said.

He stressed that while readiness among concerned agencies is expected, what matters most is the speed and decisiveness of assistance on the ground.

“Ako ay lubos na nababahala sa tumitinding tensyon at kaguluhan ngayon sa Middle East. Higit sa lahat, ang ating prayoridad dapat ay ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan na nasa gitna ng panganib. Kaya nanawagan ako sa ating mga OFWs: manatiling mapagmatyag at palaging makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga embahada at konsulado para sa mga security measures at mahahalagang anunsyo. Kaligtasan ninyo ang aming inuuna—keep safe always,” he added.

The senator emphasized that concerned agencies must remain on heightened alert and prepared to act at any time should the situation deteriorate further.

His statement comes as active military exchanges intensify between Iran and a joint United States–Israel effort. Airstrikes have reportedly targeted Iranian military facilities near Tehran and other strategic locations. In response, Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel and toward areas hosting United States forces in countries such as Iraq, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Explosions were reported in parts of Israel following missile interceptions, while security alerts were raised in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai, as regional airspace closures disrupted commercial flights.

In southern Iran’s Minab, Hormozgan province, the Shajareh Tayyebeh all-girls primary school was struck during a wave of airstrikes, with Iranian officials reporting that 108 pupils, most of them young girls, were killed as rescue teams searched through the rubble.

Several Gulf states, including Kuwait and Jordan, have heightened security measures as the exchange of attacks intensifies, raising concerns for foreign nationals, including OFWs deployed across the region.

In response to the escalating hostilities, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), upon the instruction of the President, held a virtual meeting with Philippine embassies across the Middle East to assess the security situation and ensure the safety of Filipinos in the area.

The President approved the recommendation of DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro to raise Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation) for Iran and Israel, while Alert Level 2 (Restriction Phase) is now enforced in Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan, effective immediately.

Under Alert Level 3, overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran who wish to return to the Philippines are advised to contact their respective Philippine Embassies for assistance.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel may be reached through its 24/7 emergency hotline at +972 54 466 1188 or via email at telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

The Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Iran may be contacted through its 24/7 emergency hotline at +989 12 213 6801 or via email at tehran.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

Travel by Filipinos to both Israel and Iran is highly discouraged.

Meanwhile, under Alert Level 2 (Restriction Phase), Filipinos in Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan are advised to heed their host governments’ emergency advisories as well as guidance issued by their respective Philippine embassies.

Existing alert levels remain in effect in other parts of the region: Iraq remains under Alert Level 4, except for Kurdistan which is under Alert Level 2; Lebanon is under Alert Level 3; Palestine is under Alert Level 4 for Gaza and Alert Level 2 for the West Bank; and Syria remains under Alert Level 4.

Go also highlighted the broader economic implications of the crisis, particularly the risk of rising oil prices and its impact on basic commodities in the Philippines.

“Bukod sa seguridad, dapat din nating bantayan ang epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya, lalo na ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at posibleng pati na ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Huwag nating hayaang may mga mapagsamantala sa gitna ng krisis na lalong magpapahirap sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” the senator stressed.

He assured OFWs and their families that his office remains open and ready to coordinate with concerned agencies.

“Bukas ang aking opisina para sa ating mga OFWs at sa kanilang mga pamilya. Handa tayong makipagtulungan sa mga concerned agencies upang masiguro ang inyong kapakanan,” Go stated.

Appealing for restraint and peace amid the escalating hostilities, Go called for prayers for de-escalation.

“We pray to Allah for the immediate de-escalation of the conflict. The world cannot afford another war, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan—a sacred time for peace, sacrifice, and contemplation,” he said.

“Sama-sama tayong manalangin sa Panginoong Diyos para sa kapayapaan at patuloy na magmalasakit sa mga nangangailangan.”