National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has firmly denied rumors that Iran is planning to bomb Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, stressing that the country is not involved in the Middle East conflict and faces no credible threat.

MUNTINLUPA CITY, March 11, 2026 — Año clarified in a media briefing that the Philippines remains safe despite escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. He explained that EDCA sites, which host U.S. military facilities in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are not targets of Iranian aggression. 

“On the national security, sa ngayon, dahil hindi naman tayo partido sa nangyayari [sa Middle East] ay hindi naman tayo madadamay diyan,” Año said, assuring the public that the country’s security is not at risk.

The National Security Council emphasized that intelligence assessments show no verified or credible direct threat to Philippine territory, including EDCA sites and surrounding communities. Año reiterated that the Philippines is not a party to the hostilities, which remain confined to the Middle East.

Defense officials also reminded the public that EDCA sites are under Philippine control and are not American bases. The Department of National Defense (DND) explained that some groups are exploiting the Middle East conflict to sow fear among Filipinos, but reassured that EDCA facilities pose no threat to any country.

The clarification comes after heightened speculation online that Iran might retaliate against U.S. allies by targeting EDCA sites in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Año dismissed these claims as misinformation, urging the public to rely on official government advisories rather than unverified social media posts.

By denying the alleged threat, Año sought to reassure Filipinos that the country’s defense cooperation with the United States remains focused on disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and regional security, not involvement in foreign wars. 

The government continues to monitor developments in the Middle East but insists that the Philippines is not in danger of being dragged into the conflict.

This statement underscores the administration’s effort to maintain calm amid global tensions and to protect the integrity of its defense agreements while ensuring public confidence in national security.