KUWAIT CITY, March 4: The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait has urged all Filipinos in the country to remain vigilant and to follow official advisories issued by Kuwaiti authorities amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement sent to Arab Times, the Embassy called on nationals to strictly comply with instructions from the Government of Kuwait, particularly the Ministry of Interior and the General Department of Civil Defense. It also advised Filipinos to stay home or in secure locations, avoid unnecessary travel, keep mobile devices fully charged, and refrain from spreading misinformation.

The Embassy expressed appreciation to the Kuwaiti government for its measures to ensure public safety and security. “The Philippines condemns the attacks against Kuwait and conveys its solidarity and support as Kuwait confronts this serious assault on its sovereignty and territory,” the statement said.

Filipinos needing information or assistance may contact the Embassy through its hotline at +965 6500 2612. For emergency police, fire, or medical services, Kuwait’s national emergency number 112 remains available. For Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and OWWA ATN concerns, assistance lines may be reached at +965 9403 9063, +965 6040 3858, and +965 6558 5355. Official updates are posted on the Embassy’s verified Facebook page, the MWO in Kuwait page, the OWWA–OWO Kuwait page, and on X (formerly Twitter) via @PHinKUWAIT.

Meanwhile, in Manila, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said they have intensified efforts to ensure the safety and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the regional situation.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the DMW and OWWA are working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of National Defense (DND), and host-country governments to continuously assess security conditions and facilitate the repatriation of Filipinos who wish to return home. He emphasized that the safety of OFWs remains the government’s foremost priority, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan assured OFWs that immediate assistance, including onsite support and repatriation services, remains available. She said additional manpower and logistical resources are being deployed to ensure accessibility of services as needed.

As of the latest data, the DMW and OWWA have provided onsite assistance to 1,824 OFWs and received 1,189 requests for repatriation, including 62 from Kuwait, 278 from Bahrain, 246 from Abu Dhabi, 231 from Dubai, 173 from Qatar, 46 from Israel, and 5 from Lebanon.

By Marlon Aquino Malinao, Managing Editor