PHL worried by possible CA attacks

POSSIBLE retaliatory attacks by Iran in California (CA) must not be taken lightly due to the large number of Filipinos in the area, the Palace said on Thursday, after American federal officers warned of unverified claims of potential drone strikes.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the government needs to remain vigilant and prepare measures to protect Filipinos abroad following an alert issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“When there are pieces of information like that, our country also needs to prepare for our compatriots,” she said in Filipino during a briefing. “This cannot simply be ignored or taken lightly. We must stay alert to whatever might happen to our fellow Filipinos in California.”

According to a May 2025 Pew Research article, 1.6 million Filipinos live in California, the largest in all states.

The Palace’s statement comes as the FBI warned US law enforcement agencies last month that Iran could retaliate for potential American strikes by launching surprise drone attacks against targets in California, according to Reuters.

The alert, issued before the outbreak of the current Middle East war that began with US and Israeli bombardments of Iran on Feb. 28, suggested unmanned aerial vehicles could be launched from sea vessels toward the US West Coast.

President Donald J. Trump downplayed concerns about Iranian retaliation on US soil, while California Governor Gavin Newsom said authorities were unaware of any imminent threat but had heightened security as the conflict escalates across the region. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana