Philippines Supports Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks: Filipino Workers Affected

The Philippine government has publicly reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia following a series of missile attacks attributed to Yemen's Houthi group. These strikes, which have been described as a "grave threat" to regional peace, resulted in injuries to at least seven Filipino workers, three of whom are in critical condition, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA extended its deepest condolences to the families of those affected by the attacks, which have left numerous casualties across various regions in Saudi Arabia. The Philippine government noted the presence of nearly 813,000 Filipinos residing in the Kingdom, according to recent data.

“The Philippine government extends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.”Department of Foreign Affairs

Manila has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties involved to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The DFA has coordinated with Saudi authorities to ensure that necessary medical care and assistance are provided to the injured Filipino workers.

Saudi Arabia is home to the majority of the over 2.4 million overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. The recent escalation in violence has prompted the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah to issue advisories urging Filipinos to exercise heightened caution and to follow safety directives from local authorities.

“We urge all parties to cease hostilities and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.”Department of Foreign Affairs

Nearly 300 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia are scheduled to return to the Philippines from Monday, October 19, to Sunday, October 25, amid regional tensions and flight disruptions, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

Officials have advised Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to maintain close contact with the Philippine diplomatic missions and to stay informed about the security situation.