MANILA: The Iranian ambassador to the Philippines was robbed in his own home by a thief who struck while the diplomat was asleep, a police official said on Sunday.

Alasghar Mohamadi was not even aware he had been robbed until the next day, said district police head Chief Inspector Adelaido Celario.

"He was trying to use his cellphone on Saturday when he realised it was missing," said the police chief.

The robber apparently climbed over the back wall of the exclusive gated community in Manila where the ambassador's residence is located, then broke in through a backdoor, Celario told AFP.

The thief also took several watches, some cash and the envoy's glasses. The house has a security guard but he is only on duty in the daytime, the chief inspector said.