Philippines Roundup: Mass repatriation sought, SoKor bilateral talks, Marcos’ oil shock plan

More than 1,400 Filipinos in Middle East seek repatriation

More than 1,400 Filipinos across the Middle East have asked to be repatriated as conflict in the region intensifies, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday. Speaking at Malacañang, Marcos said 1,416 nationals had requested assistance, including 10 in Iran, 297 in Israel, 22 in Jordan, 231 in Bahrain and 856 in the United Arab Emirates, covering Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, he said repatriation efforts were hampered by airport closures and airspace restrictions, with several facilities reportedly targeted in retaliatory strikes.

Marcos hosts South Korea’s Lee for talks on defence and trade

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday received South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Malacañang for a two-day state visit focused on strengthening defence, maritime security and economic ties. The visit is the first by a South Korean leader since the Philippines–Republic of Korea free trade agreement took effect on December 31, 2024. The leaders held bilateral talks with senior cabinet officials and are set to witness the signing of agreements and issue a joint statement. Lee’s trip, marking 77 years of diplomatic relations, comes amid heightened Middle East tensions and follows his visit to Singapore.

Philippines says US-access sites not involved in Middle East conflict

Philippine defence officials said military facilities accessible to US forces under a bilateral pact are not involved in the escalating conflict between Washington, Israel and Iran, dismissing claims they could become targets. Arsenio Andolong, spokesman for the Department of National Defense, said some groups were exploiting the crisis to stoke “fear and apprehension” over sites covered by the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which grants US forces rotational access to nine Philippine bases. He stressed the facilities remain Philippine-owned and are used for joint training, disaster response and national defence. “The Philippines is not a participant in the theatre of conflict,” Andolong said, adding there was no credible direct threat to EDCA locations.

Malaysian, Filipino killed in helicopter crash

A Malaysian national was killed and another injured when a Bell 505 helicopter carrying five people crashed in Pililla, Rizal province, east of Manila, on Tuesday morning. A Filipino passenger also died after the aircraft went down in a vacant lot at about 7.27am while en route from Manila to Quezon province. Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said the deceased’s identity had been confirmed and next of kin informed. The embassy is providing consular assistance, while the injured Malaysian is receiving hospital treatment. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has launched an investigation.

Marcos weighs temporary fuel tax cut as oil nears $80

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday he is considering seeking congressional authority to temporarily reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if Dubai crude rises above $80 a barrel, as prices climb amid the Middle East conflict. Marcos described the plan as an emergency measure, not a permanent policy, to cushion consumers from sustained price shocks. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said lawmakers were open to studying possible amendments to grant the President such powers.