US strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites

PH adopts ‘One Country Team’ approach to crisis; 8 Filipinos injured

- By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS and RAYMUND ANTONIO

The United States attacked three sites in Iran early Sunday, inserting itself into Israel's war aimed at destroying the country's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe that prompted fears of a wider regional conflict.

Addressing the nation from the White House, President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites were "completely and fully obliterated." There was no independent damage assessment.

Injured Filipinos

The Philippine government, through its missions in the affected areas, has adopted a unified response under the “One Country Team” approach, as the number of Filipinos injured by Iranian retaliatory missile attacks on Israel rose to eight.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega assured that agency personnel have adopted a “whole-of-government” approach and that the DFA had called for the de-escalation of tension and “return to the path of peace to protect our millions of kababayans in the region.”

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said that one Filipino who had “severe and life-threatening injuries” remains in critical condition, while another suffered from moderate to serious injuries and had been discharged and six already discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

The embassy shared that the Filipina in critical condition "undergoing a major pulmonary surgery at Sham Medical Center, one of Israel's most advanced hospitals," but "she is still! in the ICU and will need to undergo another surgery once stable." The now 10-day exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran also displaced 88 Filipinos since their home! were either hit or indirectly impacted by the attacks.

"They are currently being house in temporary accommodations," the embassy assured.