Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to prepare to deploy aircraft and ships to evacuate thousands of Philippine workers in Iraq and Iran in case violence breaks out following US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport last week.
President Duterte chairs a meeting with senior officials on January 5. (Photo: AP)
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered themilitary to prepare to deploy aircraft and ships to evacuate thousands ofPhilippine workers in Iraq and Iran in case violence breaks out following USairstrike at Baghdad International Airport last week.
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said that President Duterte chaired a meetingwith senior officials on January 5, during which he asked the Armed Forces ofthe Philippines to be prepared to deploy military assets to repatriate Filipinosin the Middle East, particularly from Iran and Iraq at any moment’s notice.
According to military chief of staff Lieutenant General FelimonSantos Jr. said Philippine forces have identified possible evacuation routesnot only in Iraq and Iran but other hotspots like Israel.
The Philippines is a leading source of labour worldwide with about a tenth ofits more than 100 million people working mostly as household help, constructionworkers and seamen.
There are more than 7,000 Philippine workersand their dependents in Iraq and Iran, including many who work in the US andother foreign facilities and commercial establishments in Baghdad, theDepartment of National Defence said.
The workers in Iran and Iraq are a small fraction of the hundredsof thousands of Filipinos who are employed in countries lining the PersianGulf.
Like the Philippines, other countries have taken measures to bringtheir workers home. Asians make up 40 percent of the world's migrants, andMiddle Eastern countries are a common destination.
Tensions have risen in the Middle East after a US airstrike killedIranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. Iran has announced revenge for itsmilitary official while US President Donald Trump warned the US is targeting 52Iranian sites if Iran attacks Americans or US assets./.
Blood samples from pigs in several farms in the Philippine capity city of Manila tested have positive for African swine fever, according to the country’s Department of Agriculture.
Philippine security forces are on high alert against possible retaliatory attacks by Islamic State-inspired terror groups in the Philippines following IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi's death, said a military spokesman.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Davao city on the Philippines’ Mindanao island on December 15, killing a 6-year-old girl and injuring 14 others, according to latest reports.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
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Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
President Duterte chairs a meeting with senior officials on January 5. (Photo: AP) 
