Afghan refugees walk with their belongings after deporting back from Iran at the Islam Qala Border between Afghanistan and Iran, in the western Herat province on May 30, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The agreement between the Philippines and the United States (US) to host Afghans in Manila will not proceed without the approval of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“The agreement will need to be ratified by the President before it becomes effective,” DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters in a text message on Tuesday.
Earlier, the DFA announced that an agreement had been reached between the Philippines and the US to host Afghans seeking to complete their Special Immigrant Visa applications for future resettlement in the US.
READ: Philippines, US agree on ‘transit’ of Afghan nationals to Manila
In the same message, Daza provided additional details about the agreement. While she did not specify the exact number of Afghans to be hosted, Daza said it covers only a “limited number of applicants” for a “limited period.”
“Each applicant shall be authorized to stay in [the] Philippines for no more than 59 days,” she said.
“All applicants will be subject to full security vetting by Philippine authorities and should secure [an] appropriate entry visa prior to arrival, in accordance with Philippine laws and regulations. Notwithstanding the possession of a Philippine visa, the Bureau of Immigration retains full authority to exclude any applicant from entry into the Philippines as a result of the standard immigration examination upon arrival in the country,” she added.
READ: Philippines to process ‘limited number’ of Afghans seeking US visas
According to Daza, all costs associated with sustaining the Afghans while they are in the Philippines will be covered by the US government. This includes expenses for food, housing, security, medical care, transportation, and other necessities.
Additionally, Daza explained that all Afghans will be confined to a “billet facility” for the duration of the processing of their Special Immigrant Visa applications by the US Embassy in Manila.
“The US government, together with the International Organization for Migration as facility manager, will ensure that the applicants, especially the children, will have adequate social, educational, religious and emotional support during their stay in the billet facility,” said Daza.
“All applicants will have been medically screened already in Afghanistan and need to leave their billet facility only once for their consular interview at the US Embassy in Manila,” she added.