FILE PHOTO: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez (AFP PHOTO)
Should the Philippines agree to house Afghan refugees, the US government will shoulder the costs down to the last cent, according to the Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez.
“They will pay for everything, including the food, lodging,” Romualdez said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday.
Romualdez’s assurance came after several senators expressed concern about the US proposal to bring Afghans who had worked with the US government in fighting the Taliban and their families into the country.
“The reason why the Philippines is a logical place is because number one, we are obviously an ally of the United States. Number two, the US has a fairly big embassy in the Philippines. It will be a quick processing,” Romualdez explained.
50,000 eyed
The ambassador said the United States intended to take in around 50,000 Afghan refugees.
Under the plan, the Americans will process the Afghans’ special immigration visa to enter the United States during their stay in the Philippines.
Romualdez said the processing will be done by the US Embassy personnel or the US Department of State.
“They’re the ones who’ve issued a visa or special immigration visa to Afghan citizens whose lives are in danger,” he said.
He added that the US government made the request to admit the Afghans into the country in October last year. During US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit in November, President Marcos confirmed that the Philippine government received the proposal.
Lack of transparency
Romualdez welcomed a Senate inquiry into the plan, which was first disclosed by Sen. Imee Marcos, who questioned the lack of transparency on the part of the administration in making the American request public.
She said the two sides were already finalizing a memorandum of agreement to bring in the refugees.
“I’m extremely pleased that Senator Imee has called for an inquiry precisely to bring out all the concerns that we have,” said Romualdez, who is a cousin of the Marcos siblings.
“We may be all related, but we’re doing our jobs. I’m here in Washington, DC, sending the request. The President received the request, and now, Sen. Imee is doing her job to make sure that this will not affect our national security,” he said.
READ: Imee Marcos: Bare PH-US ‘deal’ on Afghan refugees