Amid escalating tension between Iran and the U.S. following the killing of Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike conducted by the United States on January 3, 2020, the Philippine government planned to send Philippine military to the Middle East, triggering condemnation and protests by various militant groups on January 10, 2020. According protesters, this plan will put overseas Filipino workers there at risk should the Philippines ally with the U.S.