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

Sen. Imee Marcos  —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos could not help but express her frustration over the Philippine government’s decision to temporarily host Afghans seeking to accomplish their Special Immigrant Visa applications for future resettlement to the United States.

Marcos, who chairs the chamber’s panel on foreign affairs, proceeded to ask the government if it is planning to add more to its existing problems.

“Were they able to go around us? Who are those coming? How many are they? Where will they live? They’re not prisoners,  so will they be allowed to go around the Philippines? How long are they with us? We all know that visa processing takes time and in the case of these Afghans, it could take more than 4 years,” Marcos asked in a statement on Tuesday.

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

“With so many problems, do we really need another one?” she exclaimed.

The agreement reached by the Philippines and the US in terms of hosting Afghans in Manila will not push through unless it gains the approval of President Ferdinand 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 simply told reporters in a text message also on Tuesday.

While she did not disclose the exact number of Afghans to be hosted, Daza said it only covers 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.

Daza detailed that all Afghans will be confined to “billet facility” for the duration of the processing of their Special Immigrant Visa applications by the US embassy in Manila.