MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines is closely monitoring developments in Iran following Israeli military strikes on Tehran, as concerns mount over possible retaliation and wider regional instability.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recorded 30,742 Filipinos residing in Israel and at least 1,180 in Iran, many of them married to Iranian nationals, the Philippines news agency reported, according to official data.
Philippine authorities said contingency measures are being discussed, including the issuance of new travel advisories.
"We are discussing it and awaiting the update from our embassy in Tehran,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a message to reporters on Friday.
In a separate television interview, De Vega said Filipinos in need of help may contact the Philippine embassies in Tehran or Tel Aviv.
"Our foreign service posts will assist them. It’s just more complicated in Iran, as some Filipinos who are now Iranian citizens may face restrictions on leaving the country imposed by their spouses,” he said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
Tensions spiked on Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the launch of "Operation Rising Lion,” a military campaign aimed at neutralising what he described as an imminent threat from Iran.
He said the strikes would continue "for as many days as it takes” to safeguard Israel’s security.
On Friday, the Israel Defence Forces announced that several senior Iranian military officials, including the Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff and the commanders of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Emergency Command, were killed in the strikes. - Bernama-PNA
