Senate to seek details on PH housing Afghan refugees — Chiz

The Senate will seek additional details on the Philippine decision that granted a request from the United States to allow the entry and temporary housing of a limited number of refugees from Afghanistan during the Senate deliberations of the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) budget.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said this in an interview with reporters amid questions on the DFA's latest announcement.

"Gagamitin namin marahil ang budget hearings para makuha sa DFA ang detalye sa mga bagay na ito. Ang budget ay pagkakataon hindi lamang para maningil kundi para na rin maliwanagan ang mga isyu na kinakaharap natin and we will use that opportunity," Escudero said.

(We will likely use the budget hearings to obtain details from the DFA regarding these matters. The budget is not only an opportunity to scrutinize expenses but also to shed light on the issues we are currently facing, and we will take advantage of that opportunity.)

"'Yun detalye DFA ang nakakaalam. Tatanungin namin iyan. Pero wala ako nakita sa [National Expenditure Program] na budget para dyan," he added.

(That detail is within the DFA's knowledge. We will ask them about it. However, I didn't see any budget allocation for that in the National Expenditure Program.)

The Senate president said he understands this agreement to house the Afghan refugees as temporary.

"Alam ko temporary lamang iyun at babalik sila sa pinanggalingan nila. Pero alam ko pagdating dito ay processing na lang ang kulang para makapasok sa US. Tandaan ninyo, ang nangako sa kanila ay Amerikano na dadalhin sila sa Amerika, hindi sa Pilipinas.

(I know it's just temporary and they will return to where they came from. But I know that once they're here, all that's left is processing to enter the US. Remember, it was the US that promised to bring them to America, not the Philippines.)

On Tuesday, the DFA announced that the Philippines has agreed to a United States request to allow the entry and temporary housing of a limited number of nationals from Afghanistan.

Under the arrangement with Washington, the DFA said the US government "is supporting necessary services for those Afghans temporarily in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical, and transportation to complete visa processing" before resettlement to the United States.

Afghan nationals, said to be US supporters, will be staying temporarily in the country until such time their Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) are issued for resettlement to the United States.

Details were not provided on the exact number of Afghans who will transit to the Philippines.

Welcome

Senator Francis Tolentino reiterated his openness to welcome Afghan refugees. 

“We respect international obligations, we respect humanity, and I trust that this decision is in line with our nation’s values of compassion, solidarity, and international cooperation,” said Tolentino in his privilege statement. 

“Ang atin pong mga OFWs ay nakatira sa iba’t-ibang bansa at sila po ay ginagalang ng mga host country. Sana po ay ipagpatuloy natin ang tradisyon na pagkalinga sa mga refugees na kinakawawa.” 

(Our OFWs are residing in different countries and they are respected by their host countries. I hope we can also continue caring for refugees who are experiencing hard times.) 

Transparency

Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee, criticized the move and reiterated her call for the Executive Department and the DFA to be “fully transparent on the real nature of the United States’ request for the Philippines to house Afghan nationals.”

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza previously said the agreement covers a limited number of Aghan applicants for a limited period and shall be authorized to stay in the Philippines for no more than 59 days.

"They will be subject to full security vetting by Philippine authorities and should secure appropriate entry visa prior to arrival, in accordance with Philippine laws and regulations," Daza said.

"Notwithstanding the possession of a Philippine visa, the Bureau of Immigration retains full authority to exclude any applicant from entry into the Philippines as a result of the standard immigration examination upon arrival in the country."

All applicants will be confined to their billet facility for the duration of the processing of their SIV applications by the US Embassy in Manila, Daza said but did not disclose the location of the temporary accommodations.

Meanwhile, the US government, together with the International Organization for Migration as facility manager, will ensure that the applicants, especially the children, will have adequate social, educational, religious and emotional support during their stay in the billet facility.

All applicants will have been medically screened already in Afghanistan and need to leave their billet facility only once for their consular interview at the US Embassy in Manila, Daza said.

The agreement is an executive agreement, meaning it will only need the approval of President Marcos before it becomes effective. —With Vince Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News