President Marcos assured the public that no Filipino has been reported killed or injured amid the escalating exchanges between Israel, the United States, and Iran in the Middle East.

In a video statement on Sunday morning, March 1, the President said the government has been closely monitoring developments since late Saturday afternoon through Philippine embassies and labor attachés across the region.

He acknowledged the anxiety of families with loved ones in the Middle East, noting the large Filipino population in the region.

“Alam naman natin na napakarami ang Pilipino diyan sa bandang Middle East. I'm sure nag-aalala kayo sa inyong mga kilala, mga kaibigan, at mga kaanak na nandoon (We know that there are many Filipinos in the Middle East. I’m sure you are worried about your acquaintances, friends, and relatives there),” Marcos said.

“At nais kong i-report sa ating mga kababayan na sa ngayon, as of 9 o'clock Sunday, wala po tayong natatanggap na report na may casualty na Pilipino. Wala pong Pilipino ang namatay, wala na Pilipino nang nasaktan (And I would like to report to our countrymen that as of 9 o’clock Sunday, we have not received any report of any Filipino casualty. No Filipino has died, no Filipino has been hurt),” he added.

The President added that the government will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of Filipinos abroad.

Before this, Marcos had ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Iran and across the Middle East following reports of airstrikes that struck Tehran.

According to the Chief Executive, Filipinos in affected areas have sought refuge in safer locations.

“Sila ay nakapunta sa mga bomb shelter kung saan sila. At lumalayo sila doon sa mga bases ng Amerikano upang hindi naman sila mapalapit sa alanganin (They have gone to bomb shelters where they are. And they are staying away from American bases so they will not be near danger),” he said.

Marcos warned that the conflict may continue and stressed the need for sustained vigilance.

“Ang ating tuloy-tuloy na binabantayan dahil ito'y kailangan nating tuloy-tuloy na bantayan at hindi ito tapos pa. Palagay ko patuloy pa itong giyerang ito (We are continuously watching this because we need to keep monitoring it, and this is not yet over. I think this war may continue),” he said.

The President assured the public that updates will be provided as more reports reach the government, reiterating that the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East remains the administration’s top priority.

In a social media post, US President Donald Trump said that a major attack launched by Israel and the United States killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran, however, did not immediately confirm the death.

According to Trump, the “assassination” gave Iranians the opportunity to “take back” their country and had put the future of the Islamic Republic in doubt and raised the risk of regional instability.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said, warning, however, that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue throughout the week and even beyond.