Philippines, US agree on ‘transit’ of Afghan nationals to Manila

This photo shows the US Embassy in Manila. The Philippines and the United States (US) have reached an agreement allowing a “limited number of Afghan nationals” to “transit” to Manila. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), this pact would enable Afghan nationals to complete their visa processing for Special Immigrant Visas and resettlement to the US. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States (US) have reached an agreement allowing a “limited number of Afghan nationals” to “transit” to Manila.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), this pact would enable Afghan nationals to complete their visa processing for Special Immigrant Visas and resettlement to the US.

“The US government is supporting necessary services for those Afghans temporarily in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical, and transportation to complete visa processing,” the DFA said in a statement Tuesday.

The DFA shared no other details except that the agreement is undergoing “final domestic procedures” at present.

READ: US proposal for Afghans to enter PH sparks fear of sleeper threats impacting Mindanao conflicts

INQUIRER.net has asked the DFA regarding the number of Afghans that the country would host as well as their expected arrival in the Philippines, but the agency has yet to respond as of writing.

Earlier, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said the government is “open to the idea” of the Philippines serving as a “processing area” for Afghan nationals displaced by their homeland’s conflict before they are resettled in the US.

This, despite the conflicting concerns raised by the country’s security agencies about possible threats if the Philippines accepts the US proposal to bring Afghans who fought against the Taliban.