Escudero backs PH plan to host Afghan refugees

Senate President Francis Escudero —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday supported the government’s decision to temporarily host Afghan refugees while their eventual travel to the United States was being processed.

“Remember, we have done the same during the Second World War when we allowed Jews to come to our country,” Escudero told reporters, referring to some 1,200 German Jews who briefly resettled in Manila as they fled the Nazi persecution between 1937 and 1941.

READ: Imee Marcos questions PH’s decision to host US-bound Afghan refugees

“As far as I know, those who will be here were those who helped the Americans fight terrorism in Afghanistan,” he said.

“Their stay here is just temporary … The Americans have promised to bring them to the US, not the Philippines,” he added.

But for Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, aside from the probable risks posed by the plan, he was also concerned about why the Philippines was chosen as the transit venue for Afghans evading the Taliban regime.

“Afghanistan is closer to some US allies which can host them,” he said. —Marlon Ramos