Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro | Screengrab RTVM
NEW YORK — The Philippine government has placed its overseas monitoring systems on alert following a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) bulletin warning that Iran may attempt retaliatory drone strikes on California. The warning, issued to law enforcement agencies in late February, cited unverified intelligence that Iran had considered launching unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a sea vessel targeting unspecified locations in the state.
California is home to one of the largest Filipino communities outside the Philippines, with over 1.6 million residents of Filipino descent, particularly concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. The potential threat has prompted concern among Filipino officials and diaspora leaders, especially in light of escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
Malacañang: “We Must Be Alert”
In a press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro urged Filipinos in California to remain vigilant. “Kapag may mga ganiyan na impormasyon, kailangan din talagang maghanda ang ating bansa para sa ating mga kababayan,” she said. “Hindi ito puwedeng isawalang-bahala o tulugan”.
Castro emphasized that the government is coordinating with Philippine consulates and migrant welfare agencies to monitor developments and prepare for possible repatriation operations if necessary. As of March 11, over 110 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and dependents have already been repatriated from the Middle East due to the widening conflict.
FBI Alert: Unverified but Serious
The FBI bulletin, distributed via the Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center, stated that Iran “allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using UAVs from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California”. The agency clarified that the information was unverified and lacked details on timing, method, or perpetrators.
Despite the lack of corroboration, California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged the alert and confirmed that state and local agencies have heightened security monitoring. “There are no imminent threats,” Newsom said, “but we are taking all necessary precautions”.
White House and Diaspora Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized initial media reports for omitting the unverified nature of the intelligence. “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” she said, calling for a retraction of the ABC News story that first broke the alert.
Filipino American civic groups in California have begun circulating embassy hotlines and safety advisories, urging community members to stay informed but avoid panic. Many recall past crises in the Middle East that triggered mass repatriations and diplomatic coordination.
Philippine Government on Standby
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are reportedly in close contact with U.S. counterparts and consular posts in California. Officials say contingency plans are in place should the situation escalate.
While the threat remains unconfirmed, the Philippine government’s proactive stance reflects a broader commitment to overseas Filipino safety — especially in regions where geopolitical tensions can quickly affect civilian populations.
