The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine government remains in the dark on whether Filipinos were hurt in the United States’ bombardment of three nuclear facilities in Iran.
In a radio interview yesterday, DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said, “We don’t have any information yet on whether there were Filipinos in the facilities that were bombed in Iran, but we have already advised our countrymen to stay away from Iranian facilities.”
He noted that nine out of some 1,200 Filipinos in Iran have so far requested repatriation.
“It’s very hard to move from Tehran to the Turkmenistan border. It’s a 13-hour drive. I think in the next few days, they will be able to do it with God’s help,” Ferrer told Super Radyo dzBB
He assured that the Philippine Embassy in Tehran is working on sending home the nine who have signified their wish to leave Iran.
For his part, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said diplomats are considered essential personnel and cannot be pulled out.
All nine Filipino diplomats in Tehran will remain in the country despite escalating hostilities.
De Vega pointed out that the Philippine Embassy is among the few foreign missions still open in the Iranian capital, which was described as a “ghost town.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Israel advised Filipinos to stay indoors and remain alert following Israel’s shift back to “Essential Activity” status on Sunday, after Iran launched missiles into the country.
Under the new directive from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command, all schools across Israel are suspended, public gatherings are banned, and work is prohibited except for essential services.
Filipinos were also urged to closely follow IDF safety guidelines, embassy advisories, and updates from trusted news sources.
Following America’s involvement in the war, Iran launched two volleys of 27 missiles, targeting Israel’s main Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, research facilities, and command centers, an Iranian state news agency reported.
As this developed, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said an escalation of the Middle East conflict would eventually hurt the world, and consequently the local economy.
“We are closely monitoring developments. The US’ strikes on Iran definitely will have direct and indirect implications on our businesses and the broader economic landscape,” PCCI President Enunina Mangio said yesterday.
“If oil prices spike further, we could face higher fuel and electricity costs, possible fare hikes for public transport, and increased production costs for goods reliant on oil. We anticipate potential supply chain disruptions and volatility in foreign exchange and capital markets,” she added.
Oil companies warned of possible further increases in pump prices this week after the US initiated air strikes against Iran.
“World oil prices could rise further because of the new development. The potential increase in premium and freight, which are projected to rise because of the expanded scope of hostilities, could be factored in the expected movement on domestic prices next week,” Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said.
This week, it is estimated that oil prices would increase by P4.90 to P5.10 per liter for diesel and P3.20 to P3.40 per liter for gasoline.
“We will know the effects on the freight and premium as soon as trading commences early tomorrow (Monday) morning,” Bellas said.