Manila urges Filipinos in conflict zones to shelter-in-place as closed airspace and the risk of misidentification ground evacuation efforts.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government is facing a logistical nightmare as over 1,400 Filipino citizens across the Middle East have requested urgent repatriation, but ongoing U.S., Israeli, and Iranian hostilities have made evacuation routes impossible to access.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. revealed in a press briefing on Tuesday that 1,416 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have formally asked to return home. The breakdown of requests underscores the geographic spread of the crisis: 586 from Dubai, 297 from Israel, 270 from Abu Dhabi, 231 from Bahrain, 22 from Jordan, and 10 from Iran.
However, Marcos delivered a sobering reality check regarding the government’s ability to extract them.
‘This is a Combat Area’
Despite the high number of requests, the President stressed that no repatriation efforts can currently be executed due to the volatile security environment.
“The airports are closed. They are all no-fly zones. This is a combat area,” Marcos told reporters, explaining that ongoing missile and drone strikes pose a significant risk of misidentification.
He further ruled out land evacuations, warning that convoys of vehicles could be perceived as hostile military advances. “So right now, safety first for our people,” he added.
From Evacuation to Shelter-in-Place
With active extraction off the table, the government has shifted its strategy from evacuation to protection. Marcos urged Filipinos to follow local authority guidance strictly and shelter in place.
“Shelter-in-place and follow the host government’s advice. That will be the most important information here,” he said, noting that Filipinos in Israel have been specifically instructed to remain within close proximity to bomb shelters.
To facilitate this, the Philippine government has coordinated with hotels near these shelter facilities to provide safe, temporary housing for overseas Filipinos.
President Marcos assured the public that Philippine embassies, labor attachés, and defense attachés remain in constant contact with communities across the affected countries and are working closely with host governments. Hotlines remain active 24/7 for worried families back home.
Reiterating the nation’s neutral stance, Marcos stated, “We are not a party to any of this. Of course we want the fighting to stop.”
