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Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026.
AFP
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are investigating reports that two Filipino nationals have been arrested in Dubai for allegedly recording and sharing videos of recent security incidents, including air defense interceptions and attacks.
In a statement on Sunday, March 15, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai said that they are asking UAE officials for official confirmation and specific details regarding the identities, current status, and the legal circumstances surrounding the two Filipinos involved.
“The Philippine Embassy and Consulate General fully respect the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates and its right to enforce its national security, cybercrime, and public order laws,” the diplomatic mission stations said in a statement.
“UAE authorities have publicly reminded the public that publishing or sharing misleading or fabricated security-related content, including videos of air defense interceptions, attacks on landmarks, or AI-generated false footage, is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines,” it added.
The mission stations also urged Filipino nationals to exercise the "utmost caution" in their digital activities.
They advised completely refraining from recording, posting, or even commenting on unverified security matters.
Officials further warned against the spread of rumors or speculative information, instructing the community to rely solely on official UAE government channels and credible news outlets for updates.
“The Embassy and Consulate General will continue to coordinate closely with UAE authorities and call on the Filipino community to fully respect local laws, customs, and security protocols that have been instituted for the safety of everyone in the UAE,” the mission station's statement read.
According to media reports, two Filipino nationals were among 25 people arrested for sharing content on the strike.
Also arrested are people of other nationalities, like Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, according to reports.
The UAE has been experiencing missile and drone attacks from Iran since the U.S.-Iran tensions started in February.
This stems from the presence of a military base shared by U.S. and UAE forces, particularly as Iran’s retaliatory strikes have targeted U.S. installations in neighboring countries.
