Philippines asks Iran: Don’t count us as enemy
Quick Take
The Philippines formally asked Iran to designate it as a “non-hostile” country to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged vessels and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Middle East tensions.
With millions of OFWs across the Middle East and remittances from the region worth $6.48 billion at stake, diplomatic positioning becomes a family matter.
Iran has already expressed willingness to assist, with further talks planned (including with Iran’s Foreign Minister). Watch how this pragmatic diplomacy unfolds alongside U.S. operations and whether other Asian nations seek similar assurances.
Philippines seeks ‘non-hostile’ status from Iran for safe Hormuz passage — energy supply and OFW families at stake.
The request was made on April 1 during a formal meeting at the DFA. While U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time address stating that core military objectives in Iran were ‘nearing completion’ (with operations expected to continue for another two to three weeks), the Philippine government pursued its own diplomatic track. Manila formally asked Tehran to designate the Philippines as a ‘non-hostile’ country — primarily to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged vessels and oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Protecting Seafarers and Energy Supply
The Department of Foreign Affairs, together with the Department of Energy, made the request on President Marcos’ directive. Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh on April 1.
Iran has expressed willingness to assist and noted it had been awaiting Manila’s outreach, with further talks (including between Secretary Lazaro and Iran’s Foreign Minister) planned.
What Millions of OFW Families Are Watching
Behind the diplomatic language are significant economic stakes: over 2.4 million Filipinos (including more than 1.1 million land-based OFWs) across the Middle East, many in Gulf states potentially affected by regional spillover. Remittances from the region reached about $6.48 billion in 2025 according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data. The request primarily aims to protect Filipino seafarers and ensure stable energy supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
The government has not issued mass evacuation orders. But “non-hostile” status serves as a practical diplomatic safeguard to protect shipping routes and workers before tensions escalate further.
Consider what happened in 2020 when the US killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Within 48 hours, the Philippine government raised alert levels across the Gulf, deployed standby repatriation teams, and watched helplessly as oil prices moved sharply, with the Department of Energy reporting net adjustments of minus ₱0.10 per liter for gasoline, plus ₱0.40 for diesel, and plus ₱0.30 for kerosene as of January 8, 2020. That crisis de-escalated. This one hasn’t yet.
A Delicate Balancing Act
The Philippines maintains a strong defense partnership with the United States under the Mutual Defense Treaty and EDCA while seeking practical assurances from Iran and Gulf states to protect its energy supply and overseas workers. This pragmatic approach reflects Manila’s need to safeguard national interests amid complex regional dynamics.
Trump’s address this week stated that core U.S. military objectives were ‘nearing completion,’ with operations expected to continue for another two to three weeks. But ‘nearing completion’ is not the same as ‘done,’ and in that gap the Philippines must keep its overseas workers safe, maintain the flow of remittances, and carefully balance relations with both Washington and Tehran.
What This Means If You Have Family There
If you have a relative working in Iran or nearby, the government’s advice hasn’t changed: stay alert, keep your documents current, register with the Philippine Embassy if you haven’t already.
But the “non-hostile” request is a signal. It means the DFA is preparing for scenarios where being Filipino might matter to someone deciding which buildings to avoid — or which flights to let leave.
There’s no evacuation order yet. There may never be one. But the fact that Manila felt the need to ask suggests the calculus has shifted.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) maintains standby funds and repatriation protocols, with its trust fund at around ₱21.3 billion as reported in early 2026 briefings. While protocols are in place, no guarantee exists that they will fully cover needs if the situation escalates faster than diplomacy allows.
Sources
Iran asked to count PH as ‘nonhostile’ nation — Inquirer
Philippines to Iran: Treat us as non-hostile — Philippine Star
Trump tells wary public in prime-time address that Iran war goals nearly accomplished — Rappler
Overseas Filipino Cash Remittances by country, 2025 preliminary data — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Oil Monitor as of 08 January 2020 — Department of Energy
OWWA Kicks Off 2026 with First Press Briefing: Strengthening Trust Fund, Increasing Membership, Expanding Services for OFWs — OWWA