The Philippines ''strongly'' urging for the de-escalation of conflict in the Middle East as it expressed great concern after the United States struck nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend.

"We strongly urge concerned parties to take the path of diplomacy and avoid further escalation of this conflict that could threaten regional and international peace and security," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement late Sunday.

It stressed that the government is "greatly concerned over the developments in the Middle East in these last few hours", the region which hosts more than two million overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

"The welfare and safety of Filipinos in the region are of primordial concern, and the Philippine government will relentlessly continue to advance and prioritize their protection," it added.

The DFA also assures that the "Philippine Embassies in the region stand ready to provide necessary assistance to Filipinos in their jurisdictions."

"The Philippines continues to reiterate the need for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this crisis," it added.

In a radio interview, Philippine Embassy to the United States Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said as Iran vows to retaliate following US strikes to its nuclear facilities, the Filipinos in America were also advised to be on alert for any eventualities.

"As always, we tell our kababayans to be on alert. We ask them to follow whatever the local officials, whatever alert, notice that they give out to their communities to be on the lookout for just in case there’s any situation that may arise out of this situation in the Middle East right now," he said.

"Of course whenever we have something like this, especially this very particular case because what happened is very serious, what the US did to Iran was very serious, they have to be on alert for any eventuality," he added.

Romualdez said the United States also issued a travel advisory for the US citizens not to travel outside the country, especially to the Middle East. Robina Asido/DMS