The Philippine Government is currently evaluating the request sent by the United States to allow Afghan refugees in the Philippines. As we know, hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees are trying to flee their country following the Fall of Kabul into the hands of extremist group, Taliban.
Photo Credit: Chris Herbert/U.S. Air Force via AP -- Afghan citizens pack inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, as they are transported from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan.
Reading the comments online, most Filipinos would want the Philippine government to reject the Afghan refugees. This was my initial reaction to the news as well, but after going through the details and watching the full interview of Senator Tolentino and PH envoy to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, I see nothing wrong with accommodating Afghan nationals who used to work in special missions for the US government.
They won’t be here for too long. PH was only requested to serve as temporary shelter while the U.S. is processing their special immigrant visas so they can settle elsewhere and start to rebuild their lives.
Similar requests were also sent to other ally nations. If we grant this, the Philippines, in the exercise of its sovereignty, can set the parameters as to the duration and how many persons we can take in -- but the US and PH gov't must guarantee a rigorous vetting process and ensure our national security is not compromised.
Photo Credit: JAVED TANVEER/AFP -- Children pose for photographs in front of their tents at a camp for internally displaced families in Panjwai District of Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
I have noticed in the comments that most Filipinos are enraged, pointing out that our government has to prioritize its people instead of giving aid to foreign nationals. While this is a reasonable concern, it should be noted that the Philippines is not bound to spend even a single peso in granting this humanitarian aid. The U.S. government has made it clear that they will shoulder all costs and will ensure none of the visa applicants will be left behind nor have the option to stay in the Philippines. What we only need to do is to allow them to take refuge in our country for a limited period of time.
I totally understand the outrage and hysteria in the comments, but we have to consider that the lives of these individuals are in danger. Other than fulfilling our commitments in International Law, extending help to displaced persons is a matter of moral obligation.
We have been receiving a lot of international help for many years. Wouldn't it be nice to give back even in the smallest way we can?
Just my two cents.
