Philippines seeks broader Saudi ties as US-Iran war becomes national security matter

MANILA: The Philippines wants to broaden its relationship with Saudi Arabia beyond oil and overseas workers, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro has told Arab News, as instability in the Middle East is increasingly affecting the Southeast Asian nation’s security. Disruptions from the US-Iran war over the past six months have directly affected Philippine energy and food security, as well as the safety of more than 2 million Filipinos living and working in Gulf Cooperation Council countries.