Hontiveros raises concern over abuse of asylum process

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday raised concerns that some foreigners facing serious criminal charges may be abusing the asylum process in the Philippines, only to continue committing crime once inside the country.

“May mga dayuhan din na dinudungisan ang sistema ng asylum para takasan ang mga krimen nila sa kanilang bansa,” Hontiveros said during the hearing of the Justice and Human Rights subcommittee.

(There are also foreigners who are tainting the asylum system to escape the crimes they committed in their country.)

“Malala pa, may mga indikasyon na pagkatapos nilang bigyan ng proteksyon, pinagpapatuloy nila ang mga krimen nila sa ating bansa,” she added.

(Worse still, there are indications that after being given protection, they continue committing their crimes in our country.)

Hontiveros presented some individuals who are the subject of red notices issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

“They misuse international protection mechanisms that were designed to protect those fleeing persecution, not those fleeing accountability. The common thread running through this cases is the misuse of Philippine institutions,” she said.

She said that some asylum applicants reportedly have multiple passports and have been linked to gambling-related offenses. The senator stressed that the one who loses again is the Filipino people.

1951 Refugee Convention

Meanwhile, Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan said that the process is covered by the 1951 Refugee Convention. He said that there is no domestic law governing refugee applications.

He said that the Department of justice (DOJ) has an internal circular which provides for the guidelines and processes that will be observed in the evaluation of applications.

When asked about monitoring mechanisms, Chan said that there is a partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

“We conduct quarterly monitoring visits. For example, if there is a significant concentration of refugees in Pangasinan, that Northern Luzon, then we would schedule one or two day visit,” he said.

“Then we would request the refugees to go to a particular center or hotel. We would have a meet and greet with them. Check how they are doing. What are their concerns, if they are experiencing any difficulties assimilating to their communities,” he added.

Chan also said that the DOJ has the power to reevaluate a refugee recognition if needed.

“We would greatly appreciate receiving whatever information the committee can share about this. And if it triggers a review, then the DOJ will initiate the necessary process, subject to observance of due process,” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News