Should the Philippines Be Worried About Conflict in the Middle East?

(SPOT.ph) Airstrikes and missile exchanges in the Middle East have taken over headlines this week. What started as rising tensions has now escalated into direct military action between Israel and Iran, with fears of the conflict widening beyond one border. Naturally, the question pops up here at home: should we be worried?

For now, both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) say there is no direct threat to the country.

“The AFP assures the public that national security conditions remain stable. The public is encouraged to remain calm, exercise vigilance against disinformation, and rely only on verified government sources,” AFP said, noting that it stands ready to “augment possible repatriation and crisis response efforts for Filipinos in affected areas, when directed.”

The PNP echoed that position, saying it “expresses its concern over recent global developments and their potential impact,” but clarified that “there is no specific threat being monitored at this time.” It also said police units keep regular security measures in place as maintaining peace and order remains its top priority. 

Just because there’s no direct security threat to the Philippines doesn’t mean we won’t feel the ripple effects.

An industry source told the Inquirer that motorists could be looking at a “significant” fuel price hike next week if tensions in the Middle East—the region that supplies a large portion of the world’s oil—continue to escalate. When fuel costs go up, transport fares, delivery expenses, and eventually the prices of everyday goods can follow.

Travel is also taking a hit. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed that 23 international flights were cancelled due to heightened security concerns in parts of the Middle East. Airlines that announced cancellations include Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, and Emirates.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in constant coordination with airlines, airport authorities, and international aviation partners. The safety and security of passengers and flight operations remain our highest priority,” CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario said in a statement.

Amid these official reassurances, the first known Filipino casualty has also been reported. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. confirmed that Mary Anne Velazquez De Vera, a 32-year-old caregiver from Pangasinan was killed in a missile attack in Tel Aviv, while helping her employer reach a bomb shelter. She had been working in Israel since 2019. The government is now working on providing support to her family.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are over two million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East as of 2025.

Also read: PLDT and Smart Offer Free Calls for OFWs in the Middle East

The conflict escalated at the end of February when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. Those strikes targeted hundreds of Iranian military sites and leadership compounds, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials.

The U.S. government has said the offensive is aimed at “ensuring that Iran can never have nuclear weapons,” arguing that the strikes are meant to weaken Iran’s military capabilities to stop what they see as a serious security threat. However, Iranian officials have long insisted their nuclear program is for civilian energy use—not weapons development—and accused the U.S. and Israel of launching an unprovoked attack.

Iran responded with missiles, drones, and attacks on U.S. and Israeli positions throughout the Gulf and surrounding countries, including reported strikes on bases in Kuwait and the UAE.

"Iran will continue to exercise its right of self-defense decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases in full and unequivocal terms," Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has defended the bombings, saying they should “continue uninterrupted throughout the week, or as long as necessary.” He said his administration remains open to dialogue with a new Iranian leadership if terms align.