The Philippine military stressed on Tuesday, March 3, that its focus remains on the welfare of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.

AFP To Filipinos: Sleep Soundly, Iran Missiles Can’t Reach Phl
A plume of smoke rises following a United States-Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran on Tuesday, March 3, 2025. Photo by AP

Amid concerns that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites could become potential targets, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reassured the public on Tuesday, March 3, there is no threat to the country from Iran’s missile capabilities, stressing that the ongoing hostilities remain confined to the Middle East.

“Yes, we could sleep soundly at night. What is happening in the Middle East is a regional conflict. We are not a party to the conflict,” Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing.

Trinidad emphasized that Iran’s missile range does not reach the Philippines.

“The conflict in the Middle East is a regional conflict. The largest missile system of the IRGC would only reach up to 2,000 kilometers. We are 7,500 kilometers away. The IRGC or Iran does not have any state or non-state proxy in this part of the globe. Hence, we are not under any threat from them,” he said, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

He also clarified that there has been “no credible threat monitored against the country against the EDCA sites which are Philippine bases.”

He stressed the AFP’s focus remains on the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

The Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy have assets on standby, including C-130 aircraft and sealift vessels, and are in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of National Defense.

“Rest assured that the AFP is providing its expertise in terms of planners in the event the government would decide to do a repatriation of our OFWs,” Trinidad said.

Amid the tensions, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said the situation remains stable and secure for its residents.

According to the DFA, about 900,000 Filipinos live in the UAE, including 450,000 in Dubai. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Rhodina Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva, Christine Boton