Iraq–Philippines relations

Iraq–Philippine relations

Iraq	Philippines

Iraq–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral ties between Iraq and the Philippines. Formal relations were established on January 12, 1975.

Diplomatic mission

Iraq opened its embassy in Manila in January 12, 1975, marking the formal establishment of relations between Iraq and the Philippines. The Philippines opened its embassy in Baghdad on September 9, 1980. Due to security concerns, the Philippines moved its embassy to Amman in Jordan in 2004 while Iraq closed its embassy in Manila in September 2003. The Philippine Embassy returned to its chancery in Baghdad in November 2011.

Iraq War

The Philippines contributed troops to the United States-led Multi-National Force in Iraq in 2003. After an Overseas Filipino Worker by the name of Angelo de la Cruz was kidnapped and threatened with death by militants, the Philippine Government decided to move the scheduled end of the tour of duty of its contingent a few weeks early. Iraq and the United States expressed their disapproval for the withdrawal and described it as "giving in to terrorist demands" despite respecting the Philippines decision on the matter.

Labor relations

Due to security concerns, the Philippines banned the deployment of workers to Iraq in December 2007. The Philippines partially lifted its ban in 2012 by sending workers to Iraqi Kurdistan. In 2013, The Philippines lifted the ban on the deployment of workers to Iraq except to the Iraqi provinces of Anbar, Ninewah, Nineveh and Kirkuk. The Deployment of household services workers is still in effect.

In 2012, it is estimated that there are 10,000 Filipinos in Iraq despite of a ban imposed during that period. By 2014, 10,000 Filipinos are expected to be deployed to Iraq.