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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
March 6, 2026 | 1:39pm
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs Haret Hreik neighborhood on March 5, 2026.
AFP / Ibrahim Amro
MANILA, Philippines — The escalating conflict in the Middle East could last four to eight weeks, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, giving a loose estimate based on information it has received.
This was mentioned during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Friday, March 6, when Sen. Kiko Pangilinan asked officials whether the government had projections on how long the conflict might continue.
Pangilinan pointed out that when Russia invaded Ukraine, early estimates had underestimated how long the war would last.
DFA Assistant Secretary Germinia Aguilar-Usudan said initial reports suggest the conflict may last longer than previous confrontations between Israel and Iran.
"The projection from the reports that we receive, it will take four weeks to eight weeks. It's not like the previous Israel-Iran war which only took 12 days," Aguilar-Usudan said.
"We hope it will end soon but based on the situation, I think it will be a protracted war and this is an unconventional war," she added.
DND: Situation evolving
For defense officials, however, it remains difficult to provide a firm timeline.
Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Hechanova said developments have been rapid, making projections uncertain.
"The situation can change very fast. What we have are certain protocols on responses, response protocols that we are preparing for," Hechanova said.
"But as regards the projection of whether this will linger on, it really depends on the realities on the ground."
Filipinos in the region. The latest tensions began after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries.
The DFA estimates that about 2.4 million Filipinos live and work across the Middle East.
Government officials said around 1,400 Filipinos have requested assistance to return home as the conflict escalates.
