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Mark Ernest Villeza - The Philippine Star
March 2, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — For six to seven straight hours, the sky over Doha flashed with explosions as air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles, a Filipino worker there told The STAR.
Germaine Rentoria, who works in Qatar’s capital, said the blasts began after Iran confirmed missile attacks on countries hosting United States military bases, including Qatar, in retaliation for joint US-Israeli strikes over the weekend.
“Explosions have been ongoing for six to seven hours, but all were intercepted by the Doha military,” Rentoria said.
“The explosions and smoke we see are from debris. So far, there are no reported Filipino casualties,” she added.
Rentoria said she and her family remained inside their home as alerts from authorities continued to sound across the city.
“Security measures involve emergency alerts and notices for everyone to stay sheltered from intercepted missile debris. Groceries are open 24/7 for emergency supply runs,” she said.
Classes have been suspended and shifted online, she said, while Qatar’s Ministry of Health announced readiness for medical emergencies and the Ministry of Interior released hotline numbers.
Rentoria said they have prepared evacuation bags containing food, essential items and important documents, including passports and identification cards, in case overseas Filipino workers are advised to return home.
“We just keep updated with news reports and developments. We are ready if there will be a requirement to repatriate OFWs,” she said.
She added that her mother is stranded at an airport in the Netherlands after airspace closures disrupted flights back to Doha.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said there were no reports of Filipinos harmed so far.
The escalation followed air strikes launched on Saturday by the US and Israel on Iran.
US President Donald Trump said the objective was “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
Iran accused the US and Israel of military aggression and said its armed forces would respond in a “decisive and powerful manner.”
The US calls the operation “Epic Fury,” while the Israelis call it “Lion’s Roar.”
The operations came days after US-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear program ended without a deal.
Embassies on alert
Philippine embassies in Israel, Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan are on heightened alert and have advised Filipinos to take caution, be updated on official advisories from governments and limit their movements.
The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv advised Filipinos to remain indoors and to prepare to seek shelter. According to the DFA, there at least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, in Israel.
The Philippine embassy in Tehran advised Filipinos in Iran, where there are around 800, to carefully assess their personal circumstances and to consider their travel plans.
The Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates advised all Filipinos in the UAE to stay calm, remain sheltered in their homes and limit unnecessary movement.
The Philippine embassy in Kuwait urged Filipinos to follow and comply with advice and guidelines announced by the Kuwaiti government, especially the Ministry of Interior and the General Department of Civil Defense. — Pia Lee-Brago
