DOJ: PH gov’t open to housing Afghan nationals, but still in talks with US

The Philippine government is still discussing the request of the United States to house Afghan nationals while they are processing their US visa, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.

“‘Yung discussion nung tungkol sa Afghan nationals, ongoing pa po ‘yung discussion niyan with the US Embassy,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said in a briefing.

Vasquez, however, clarified that the government is “open to the idea.” 

The request to house Afghan nationals was briefly raised by US President Joe Biden with Marcos during the latter’s state visit to Washington in May 2023.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said they received a concept note from the US in October 2022 which indicated a “request” for the Philippines to allow Afghans formally employed by the US government and their qualified dependents to temporarily stay in the country to process their Special Immigrant Visa applications with the US Embassy.

However, Senator Imee Marcos raised her concern on why the US opted to house the Afghans in another country and not in their own country.

The DOJ previously said it was writing a legal opinion on the matter.

“Ang number one concern na lang diyan is ‘yung national security issue natin (our number one concern was our national security issue),” Vasquez said.

Vasquez issued the remark as the DOJ held an event commemorating National Refugee Day. This is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 265 series of 2023 declaring 20 June of every year as the “National Refugee Day.”

“We Filipinos are renowned for our hospitality, and historically, we have extended this especially to vulnerable individuals in need of safety from war and persecution,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

“Through the very first commemoration of National Refugee Day, the Philippines sends a strong message of our commitment to our long humanitarian legacy of opening our doors and providing support to people who have crossed international borders to seek protection,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News