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Advocates Philippines
PBBM Studying US Proposal On Resettlement For Afghans in PH
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that the Philippines is actively studying the proposal made by the United States to designate the country as a transit area for Afghan nationals who are being resettled in the US and other locations. Speaking during the launch of the Kanegosyo Center, the President clarified that no agreement has been reached between the two sides regarding the Afghan nationals.
President Marcos acknowledged that there are multiple issues to consider, including security, legal aspects, and logistics. He emphasized that the safety of the Philippines must not be compromised in any way. "We'll see if we can actually manage it and make sure that if things start to go not as planned, what we can do," he remarked.
While the Philippines has a history of accepting refugees, as seen during World War II, President Marcos highlighted that the case of Afghan nationals is different. He clarified, "These are not refugees. They are an entirely different class of person. They are Afghan nationals who are being settled by the United States in the United States and other places. We are only going to be a transition area."
The President explained that the Afghan nationals seeking transit in the Philippines are individuals who aided the Americans during the war but were left behind when the US forces withdrew. He acknowledged that their lives are in danger due to threats from the enemy. However, he stressed that they are not classified as refugees and stated, "It is something different. It is not something that we've encountered before."
According to American officials cited by President Marcos, the number of Afghan nationals utilizing the Philippines as a transit area would not exceed 1,000 individuals if the request is granted.
Nevertheless, some groups and lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential threats to national security posed by the Afghan nationals. These concerns have prompted further deliberation and caution in considering the US proposal.
The Philippines continues to carefully evaluate the proposal, taking into account various factors, including security measures, legal considerations, and the overall well-being of the country.
President Marcos acknowledged that there are multiple issues to consider, including security, legal aspects, and logistics. He emphasized that the safety of the Philippines must not be compromised in any way. "We'll see if we can actually manage it and make sure that if things start to go not as planned, what we can do," he remarked.
While the Philippines has a history of accepting refugees, as seen during World War II, President Marcos highlighted that the case of Afghan nationals is different. He clarified, "These are not refugees. They are an entirely different class of person. They are Afghan nationals who are being settled by the United States in the United States and other places. We are only going to be a transition area."
The President explained that the Afghan nationals seeking transit in the Philippines are individuals who aided the Americans during the war but were left behind when the US forces withdrew. He acknowledged that their lives are in danger due to threats from the enemy. However, he stressed that they are not classified as refugees and stated, "It is something different. It is not something that we've encountered before."
According to American officials cited by President Marcos, the number of Afghan nationals utilizing the Philippines as a transit area would not exceed 1,000 individuals if the request is granted.
Nevertheless, some groups and lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential threats to national security posed by the Afghan nationals. These concerns have prompted further deliberation and caution in considering the US proposal.
The Philippines continues to carefully evaluate the proposal, taking into account various factors, including security measures, legal considerations, and the overall well-being of the country.
Jun 29, 2023
