The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) urgently calls on the Philippine Government, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), to immediately heighten and operationalize all emergency response measures to ensure the safety and security of Filipinos in the Middle East following the strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran and the reported retaliatory attacks.
“We urge all relevant authorities to work triple-time and activate 24/7 rapid response systems. Clear, consistent, and real-time communication must be established with our kababayan on the ground, especially on critical matters such as their right to refuse unsafe work, access to emergency shelters, updated travel advisories, and verified hotline numbers,” stated TUCP Party-list Representative and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza who as then chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (HCOWA) in the previous Congress, steered the passage of the Department of Migrant Workers Act during the 18th Congress.
The TUCP further noted statements from U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that strikes against Iran would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary,” underscoring the volatility and unpredictability of the situation.
“The Government must revisit, update, and fully operationalize its contingency and repatriation plans with definitive timelines, clear protocols, and ready logistical support, particularly for the thousands of Filipinos in Iran and the millions more in the entire Middle East, who may wish to return home. Our kababayan demand and deserve a proactive response that is accessible and deployable at a moment’s notice,” stressed Mendoza.
The TUCP also called on the international community to immediately de-escalate hostilities and prioritize diplomacy.
“We call for the immediate end of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table. War only deepens instability and endangers innocent civilians, including millions of migrant workers who simply seek to earn a dignified living. Peace through diplomacy is our only chance and path,” underscored Mendoza.
