FINDING ANSWER

The United States request for temporary shelter in the Philippines of some 50,000 Afghans seeking refuge from the Taliban in Afghanistan is beset with controversy. Citing sovereignty and security concerns, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has raised “vehement objection and opposition to the proposal in its entirety,” according to Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa. Fearing local terrorists supporting the Taliban might attack Afghans in the Philippines, he explained that the US request “might have the risk of further exacerbating an already unstable situation as regards the local terrorist groups in some areas.” Others opposed to the US request asked: “Why does it have to be the Philippines? Why not nearby US territories in the Pacific like Guam? Or why not Saipan which is also in the Pacific area?” Some even expressed fear that Afghan terrorist sleeper cells might be able to slip in. Sen. Francis Tolentino, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, is among those expressing strong support for the temporary stay of Afghans here while the US processes their special immigrant visas (SIV). “These are not your terrorists. These are not suicide bombers. These are lady educators, these are translators… Why are we trying to stereotype and discriminate against (Muslim brothers and sisters)?” Tolentino explained in a TV interview. He also disagreed with the sovereignty issue, saying the Philippines is not being forced to accommodate Afghans. “Pwede nating hindian, pwedeng ituloy, pwedeng 50,000, pwedeng 500, pwedeng 1,000. Hindi tayo pinupwersa dito (We can refuse or allow, it can be 50,000, can be 500, can be 1,000. We are not being forced here),” he explained. He added that our help given to Afghans in peril will greatly enhance our country’s image amid alleged human rights violations peddled abroad against the Philippines. “This is the highest level of compliance with international humanitarian laws and human rights obligations.” Tolentino also touched on the legality of it all, citing international treaties like the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951 Refugee convention and its 1967 Protocol, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “Is it illegal to help a fellow human being in need? Is it illegal to provide a temporary shelter for someone in need? I don't see anything wrong… conscience, morality, and principles of international law would justify all of these,” he stressed. Giving further clarity on the US request is Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez. “The United States has made it clear: the Afghan nationals applying for the SIV will only be housed in the Philippines on a temporary basis, with all costs of the entire process to be shouldered by the US government,” he explained. “The Afghan nationals are not refugees, although the nature of the request in many people’s view is humanitarian in nature because these are individuals whose lives and that of their loved ones could be in peril because they worked for the US government before the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan,” he said. “Just to put it in the right perspective, the US request is based on two points that need to be highlighted. One, the US looks at the Philippines as an ally and friend, and two, we have in the past showed compassion for people in need.” With the way both sides of the issue are being discussed, it seems that it all boils down to a choice between national security and compassion – the kind of Christian compassion expected from a predominantly Catholic Philippines. The Philippines has indeed shown humanitarian compassion for others so many times in the past. Our country has offered sanctuary to many refugees fleeing persecution, violence and war — from White Russians escaping capture by the Red Army in 1923, Jewish refugees escaping Hitler’s atrocities in the 1940s, Chinese fleeing from famine and the communists in the 1940s to the 1970s, and Vietnamese boat people escaping the communist takeover in the 1970s. Being compassionate and welcoming of Afghans fleeing ruthless persecution in their Taliban-ruled country is undoubtedly the Christian thing to do. Many verses in the Holy Bible show what’s the right thing to do: “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)” There’s also Matthew 25:35 which says “for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” To eradicate or lessen the risks on national security, a thorough vetting process conducted by both US and Philippine security authorities on Afghans entering our country would greatly help. Such vetting could go a long way in the need to assuage fears and blunt the impression that the issue has to be a choice between national security and Christian compassion. (Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]))