Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Commercial repatriation flight of 31 OFWs at Doha Hamad International Airport. Photo courtesy of Hans Leo J. Cacdac/Facebook

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17744359736901750746012020510685877_1258489395840822_5682159907258393356_n.jpg.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Commercial repatriation flight of 31 OFWs at Doha Hamad International Airport. Photo courtesy of Hans Leo J. Cacdac/Facebook </div>MANILA — The Philippines is taking a cautious and calibrated approach to the US and Israel&#x27;s war on Iran, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro emphasizing that protecting overseas Filipinos and securing the country’s energy needs are now at the core of government response.“Foremost, sa iniisip ng Pangulo at ng buong burukrasya is actually the safety of our OFWs…So far, na-repatriate na po natin is I think, for the [Department of Migrant Workers]], kulang-kulang na ho na dalawang libo,” she said. “If it is tourists, students, migrants, ito po ay within the jurisdiction of the Department of Foreign Affairs.”Lazaro said stranded Filipino pilgrims in Israel, as well as some students, have been included in repatriation flights alongside overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).But a more complex situation remains in Iran, where around 800 Filipinos, many of whom married to Iranian nationals, are still in conflict zones.“Ito pong mga nasa Iran, hindi namin magagamit ang mga airport because nakita niyo naman on television, continuous ang bombing sa Iran. So we have been finding land routes at nailalabas natin sila through Turkey. So far may mga nakarating na dito na I think, less than 50 na mga kababayan natin,” she explained.Despite the escalating crisis, the pace of repatriation remains relatively low, partly because some Filipinos opt to stay.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/20/of-more-than-26-000-filipinos-in-israel-only-81-seek-repatriation-envoy-1630">Of more than 26,000 Filipinos in Israel, only 81 seek repatriation — envoy </a></div>“A number of our OFWs prefer to stay in their host countries. Probably, they still work and so forth…But so far, if you look at the numbers, 2,000 in three weeks, that&#x27;s really very small,” she said.Still, the government maintains it is ready to escalate response if needed.“The mandatory repatriation actually in our present alert levels, is Alert Level 4…But if ever it comes, we are prepared. Philippine government is prepared. DMW is prepared. DFA is prepared.”<div> </div><div>PH OPTIMISTIC FOR US-IRAN TALKS</div>The conflict, now stretching into its fourth week, continues to reshape geopolitical dynamics, with conflicting signals emerging from both the United States and Iran. While Iranian officials deny talks, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House today that US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are leading negotiations, supposedly with the condition that Iran will no longer try to develop nuclear weapons.The Philippines meanwhile, chooses to remain optimistic.“If ever there is a deal, then let it be. Because it&#x27;s really affecting the whole world,” Lazaro said.Beyond the immediate safety of Filipinos, the war is also exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s energy supply.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national energy emergency, allowing the government to fast-track procurement and implement contingency measures.Lazaro said the DFA is supporting these efforts by mobilizing diplomatic channels.“Binigyan ho tayo ng listahan ng Department of Energy on the countries that, which I tasked our ambassadors, to look into the possibilities for our energy needs,” she said.“I think ang hinihingi lang ng DOE is one, ano ba yung mga set na na mga shipments or yung mga napag-usapan na, napirmahan na, if possible to continue with the delivery. Second is again, if we can purchase more.”Countries being explored as potential suppliers include Russia and China, highlighting the Philippines’ widening search for energy sources amid global disruption.“Fertilizers, we also get it from China,” she added.The DFA is also assisting the Department of Agriculture in identifying alternative fertilizer sources, since the Philippines also receive significant imports from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.<div> </div><div> </div><div>PH &#x27;NOT NEUTRAL&#x27;</div>Amid mounting pressure to take sides, Lazaro pushed back against the characterization that the Philippines is being neutral.“I wouldn&#x27;t consider that neutrality,” she said.“Yes, we are very cautious, but we have supported these resolutions in the UN, in the [International Maritime Organization]. It&#x27;s just that we are not co-sponsoring. Sa United Nations parlance, those are two different issues.She stressed that any diplomatic position is weighed against its potential impact on Filipinos abroad.“We have diplomatic relations with Iran and continue to do so,” she said. “However, when it comes to our OFWs numbering 2.5 billion, we just want to be sure that, you know, they&#x27;re also protected. Even our political thinking has to be very, has to be weighed heavily because sila yung iniisip natin eh.”As tensions deepen, the Philippines is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, as it balances its alliance with the United States and its economic ties with China. But Lazaro said there is no immediate need to recalibrate.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/marcos-very-serious-restructuring-of-relations-with-china-certainly-going-to-happen-1300">Marcos: ‘Very serious restructuring’ of relations with China ‘certainly going to happen’ </a></div>“Recalibration, perhaps at a later stage but not at this point in time. Not yet. Because we have to continue discussing with them,” she said.She reiterated that Washington remains Manila’s only treaty ally in defense, but emphasized that the country’s independent foreign policy requires engagement with all partners.“This is what it is all about. An independent foreign policy means that all of this, all of the countries in the world, including Russia, which we have diplomatic relations with, has value and that we will continue to coordinate, as well as continue our trade in many other aspects.”As ASEAN chair, the Philippines is expected to play a larger diplomatic role, with the Iran conflict likely dominating regional discussions.“This will be a dominant issue to be discussed by the leaders in the coming summit,” Lazaro said, citing concerns over economic fallout across Southeast Asia.

The Philippines is taking a cautious and calibrated approach to the ongoing Iran war, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro emphasizing that protecting overseas Filipinos and securing the country’s energy needs are now at the core of government response.

The Philippines is taking a cautious and calibrated approach to the ongoing Iran war, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro emphasizing that protecting overseas Filipinos and securing the country’s energy needs are now at the core of government response.

Iran War tests PH foreign policy, Filipinos’ safety comes first — Lazaro

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Iran War tests PH foreign policy, Filipinos’ safety comes first — Lazaro

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 25, 2026 07:03 PM PHT

Read More:

US

Iran

Israel

Philippines

ASEAN

Indo-Pacific

US-Iran war

Strait of Hormuz

oil prices

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