MANILA, Philippines — In response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of the Philippines has raised its alert status for overseas workers in the Middle East.

Undersecretary Bernard Olalia announced that this decision was prompted by directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac during a news forum in Quezon City.

The DMW is particularly focused on its Migrant Offices located in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and other countries in the region.

According to Olalia, all front offices are currently on alert due to the unrest in the area.

The department is prepared for any potential escalation of violence which may affect the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

There are approximately 20,000 Filipinos currently residing in Israel.

Of these, around 13,000 are documented workers, while over 6,000 are undocumented, primarily engaged in sectors such as caregiving, hospitality, agriculture, and various service industries.

To ensure the safety of these workers, labor attachés and their staff have been placed on duty 24/7, with all leave suspended.

Emergency hotlines have been set up, and OFWs and their families can reach out for assistance both domestically and internationally by calling 1348 within the Philippines or +63 2 1348 from abroad.

Additionally, Olalia confirmed that contingency measures are in place should the situation worsen.

The DMW is actively exploring alternative routes for repatriation, given the closure of airspace over Israel and Iran.

If air repatriation is not viable, the department plans to use land routes through neighboring countries that remain open and safe.

In a related advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Iraq has urged Filipino nationals to refrain from unnecessary travel to the country due to security concerns arising from the ongoing regional crisis.

Those already in Iraq are advised to avoid public spaces and to remain vigilant.

Since 2021, Iraq has operated under Alert Level 3, indicating a heightened risk of violent disturbances in various areas.

The embassy continues to monitor the situation closely and has provided a hotline for emergencies.

On June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces conducted preemptive strikes on Iranian military sites, aiming to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Following these operations, which the Israeli government described as targeted actions against Iran's nuclear program, both Israel and Iran closed their airspaces, with Iraq also halting all flights and closing its airspace in response.

Israel has declared a state of emergency as Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of expected retaliatory actions from Tehran in the days to come.