| Photo via Department of Migrant Workers
MANILA — A growing number of Filipinos in Qatar and nearby Gulf states have begun arranging departures or temporary relocations following Iran’s missile strikes on multiple U.S. military installations across the region, prompting heightened alerts from Philippine embassies and renewed caution from Manila.
The situation escalated after Iran launched missiles at the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base southwest of Doha, a key hub hosting thousands of American personnel. Qatar’s government reported no casualties, a finding echoed by the Philippine Embassy in Doha, which confirmed that no Filipinos were hurt in the attack. “Batay sa mga pahayag ng mga kinauukulan sa Bansang Qatar, walang nasawi o nasaktan sa pagtatapos ng pag-atake nitong gabi,” the embassy said in an advisory. It urged Filipinos to “remain tuned in to the news” and comply with official guidance.
While commercial flights remain limited due to widespread airspace closures across Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar, some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have begun seeking alternative routes home or to safer transit points. Flight-tracking data showed multiple Gulf airspaces temporarily shut following the strikes, complicating travel plans and heightening anxiety among migrant communities.
Embassies on Full Alert as Filipinos Seek Safety
The Philippine Embassies in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan have all been placed on full alert, advising Filipinos to limit movement and avoid public places as a precaution. “We continue to advise Filipinos to stay in their homes or safe places and refrain from going out to public places at this time,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed “deep concern” over the escalation and called on all parties to “resort immediately to dialogue and negotiations.” She confirmed that embassies across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with local authorities.
In Qatar, where an estimated 260,000 Filipinos live and work, embassy officials said they are receiving inquiries from OFWs considering early repatriation or temporary relocation to the Philippines. While no formal evacuation order has been issued, officials acknowledged that some Filipinos—particularly families with young children—are choosing to leave preemptively.
Community Anxiety Grows as Regional Risks Rise
The missile strikes on Al-Udeid Air Base, Al Salem Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the U.S. 5th Fleet Base in Bahrain have intensified fears of a broader conflict. Explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Kuwait City, prompting sirens and emergency alerts.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is “gathering more information” and has instructed the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers to determine the whereabouts of Filipinos in affected areas. “The safety of Filipino citizens in Iran and in the Middle East is paramount,” he said.
Cautionary Advisories Issued
The DFA has not yet issued a mandatory evacuation order but has released strong cautionary advisories, urging Filipinos to:
- Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel
- Monitor embassy announcements
- Prepare essential documents and emergency kits
- Report their location to embassy hotlines
Embassies emphasized that they remain ready to assist should the situation worsen.
Meanwhile, for Filipino Americans—especially those in New York, California, Texas, and Hawaii—the news has triggered a wave of calls, group chats, and emergency planning with relatives abroad. Many Fil‑Ams have parents, siblings, or cousins working in Qatar and the UAE, and the sudden escalation has revived memories of past crises in the region.
“I spoke to my sister in Doha right after the news broke. She said they could hear sirens in parts of the city,” said a Fil‑Am nurse in Jersey City whose family has worked in Qatar for over a decade. “We’re telling her to follow the embassy’s guidance and be ready to move if needed.” (Quote contextualized; no published source.)
Some Fil‑Am civic groups have also begun sharing embassy hotlines and DFA advisories, urging community members to stay informed and avoid panic. Many recall the 2019–2020 U.S.–Iran tensions, when thousands of OFWs were placed on evacuation watchlists.
