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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos has yet to decide on hosting Afghan refugees in PH—Palace

Marcos has yet to decide on hosting Afghan refugees in PH—Palace

Published Aug 15, 2023 10:05 am

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has yet to decide on whether or not the Philippines would heed the United States' request to host Afghan refugees.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Ali Vicoy)

"No decision yet," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Last month, Marcos said the government was still studying the possibility of accepting refugees from Afghanistan as the situation is "more complicated."

He then said that it was a different story "because politics and security are involved."

"We have made some progress, but there are still some major obstacles to us being able to do it, but we continue to consult with our friends from the United States," he said in a media interview last July 17.

In June, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said the US government first requested for the Philippines to temporarily accept refugees fleeing from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in October 2022.

Romualdez clarified that Washington's request for Manila only covers those who worked for the US government and those whose lives are in danger.

He said the US request is purely about "processing for Afghans and their families who worked with the US government in Afghanistan and whose lives are in danger."

The President also said last month that the government is not giving itself a deadline but they will continue to look for a way to do it without endangering the country's security.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos afghan refugees Cheloy Garafil President Marcos
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