Philippines Calls Off Mandatory Evacuations From Iran, Lebanon

The mandatory evacuation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from some parts of the Middle East has been called off, according to Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. The exception is Iraq where the repatriation of Filipinos will still take place.

Tension levels in Iran, Iraq and other countries in the Middle East were sky high immediately after the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani by an American drone strike. They have since dropped to an alert level 2 status and in Iran the alert level was dropped to zero. Bello did not explain the reductions, but it obviously is related to a de-escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

In a statement Bello said, "Initially, the level of alert for Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon are the same [Alert Level] 4. Although it was unofficial, I was informed yesterday that the alert level in Lebanon was put down to level 2 and I understand that there's no more alert level in Iran.”

Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump, who ordered the Jan. 3 fatal drone strike, said, "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world," said Trump. It is thought that for some unknown reason, Iran presented Trump a chance to call off his threats to target 52 Iranian “cultural sites” that some interpret as military targets in Iran.

The apparent de-escalation will allow some Filipinos to breathe a sigh of relief if the OFW in the family can continue to work in the Middle East and send home money to support the family.

About 2.3 million OFWs work in countries outside the Philippines with about half of them employed by companies in the Middle East. They work as domestic helpers, service industries and on oil rigs. Some work in a professional capacity as a nurse or engineer. Combined they send remittances worth an estimated five billion US dollars to their kinfolk in the Asian archipelago.

OFWs in Iraq are a relatively small number at around 6,000 to 7,000 with another 1,600 in Iran.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte responded at the height of tensions by asking his country’s Congress to prepare for the returning OFWs in Iraq and Iran. He also considered a special session of Congress to address the issue of how to help Filipino citizens in the region if conflict were to break out.

As to the amount of money needed Duterte said, "We need billions” referring to the Philippine Peso currently at a 1/50 exchange rate with the US dollar (50 php is equal to about $1.00). Filipinos, especially OFWs and their families, will be keeping close tabs on developments hoping that alert levels stay low and that the needed remittances will continue.