Manila: Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo on Friday urged concerned government agencies to temporarily suspend the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to areas near Israel and Iran amid their armed conflict.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo called on the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Bureau of Immigration to hold for the meantime the sending of OFWs to the "surrounding areas of Iran and Israel." Tulfo specified regions such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt as areas of concern.

Tulfo highlighted the potential risks involved in continuing to send OFWs to these locations. He emphasized that if the conflict escalates, it could pose significant challenges given the large number of OFWs currently in the Middle East. He suggested that halting deployment temporarily could safeguard the safety of Filipino workers abroad.

The incoming senator mentioned that deployment could resume once there is a ceasefire or the conflict has concluded, ensuring a safer environment for OFWs.

Anadolu News Agency reported that tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated since June 13, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. Israeli authorities reported at least 24 deaths and hundreds of injuries due to Iranian missile attacks since then.