<span style="color: #222222;">The President of Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte today ordered the military to prepare to deploy its aircraft and ships at any moment's notice to evacuate thousands of Filipino workers in Iraq and Iran. Earlier, Duterte held an emergency meeting with his defence secretary and top military and police officials in Manila to discuss the evacuation plans. Philippine Military Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. told reporters that Philippine forces have identified possible evacuation routes not only in Iraq and Iran but other hotspots, like Israel.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Department of National Defense said, there are more than 7,000 Filipino workers and their dependents in Iraq and Iran, including many who work in US and other foreign facilities and commercial establishments in Baghdad.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Philippines is a leading source of labour worldwide with about a tenth of its more than 100 million people working mostly as household help, construction workers, seamen and professionals.</span><br />