18-06-2025
PH gov't considering raising alert levels in Israel, Iran amid conflict
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi
The Philippine government is considering raising is alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue.
'We are considering the same, but in fact, we are already acting as if both countries were on Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation,' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told GMA News Online.
He added that the Philippine government is looking into the situation of the affected areas and the safety of Filipinos before raising the alert levels.
Israel is currently at Alert Level 2 or restriction, which is issued if there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat.
Meanwhile, Iran is under Alert Level 1 or precautionary, which is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country.
Israel launched the air war on Iran last Friday, calling it a "preemptive strike" to stop the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, is a signatory to the Non-Profileration Treaty, while Israel is not.
The DFA earlier said 26 Filipinos may be repatriated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended.
They are among the 150 Filipinos who have expressed willingness to leave Israel.
Meanwhile, the DFA is arranging the repatriation of 17 Filipinos who want to leave Iran.
The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is also working on sending its non-essential diplomatic staff back to the Philippines. — BM, GMA Integrated News
