For humanitarian reasons, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino expressed his full support for the government's actions to allow the entry of 300 Afghan nationals — individuals who aided American forces and their families composed mostly of children — in the Philippines for the processing of their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) for resettlement in the United States.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 7, Tolentino said that this initiative is part of Washington's efforts to support former allies following the Taliban's rise to power three years ago. It is also pursuant to an Agreement signed on July 29, 2024, between the Philippines and the United States and ratified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 25, 2024, to temporarily host Afghan refugees while their SIVs are being processed.
"I commend our government in its decision to strengthen its commitment to international treaties, emphasizing that adherence not only reflects the country's values but also enhances its global standing," he said.
"Ang mga 300 Afghans po ay persecuted sa kanilang lugar (The 300 Afghans are being persecuted in their area). This representation is in full support of the hosting of the refugees in the Philippines, as a compassionate and solidarity-driven initiative," he added.
As a steadfast advocate for refugees' rights and the broader spectrum of human rights, Tolentino said he cannot stress enough the importance of demonstrating shared humanity by aiding those fleeing violence and persecution.
"Accepting displaced refugees is the highest standard when it comes to adherence to international human rights commitment," he said.
He added that the Philippines has repeatedly shown its commitment to upholding human rights, participating in key international agreements such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He also stated that Filipinos have a proud history of extending humanitarian aid to those in need, including Jewish refugees during the era of President Manuel L. Quezon and Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War. Recently, he said that the country also assisted Rohingya refugees.
The Afghan refugees will stay in a US State Department-operated facility for up to 59 days while completing their visa processes. They are allowed to leave only for embassy consular interviews. The US government will support all necessary services for those SIV applicants temporarily in the Philippines, including food, housing, medical care, security, and transportation to complete visa processing.
"Aiding Afghan refugees aligns with international law and reflects the nation's values of compassion and solidarity. Let me stress that human rights are universal, and we must ensure our legal frameworks align with international standards," he said.
"That said, let us ensure that our 300 Afghan brothers and sisters are treated with dignity and respect," he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the arrival on Monday, Jan. 6, in the Philippines of several Afghan nationals who will stay in the country while waiting for their United States visas.