Philippine security authorities will thoroughly evaluate the background of all refugees from Afghanistan to determine if they have links to terrorist groups. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.
Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation or the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency might be called upon to check the background of the refugees from Afghanistan if there were indications they had links to terrorist groups.
Nonetheless, Guevarra said while the Philippines welcomed refugees and those seeking political asylum from other countries, they would be on alert on the possibility that terrorists might use this as an opportunity to blend with legitimate refugees to sneak into the country.
“If Afghan nationals do arrive in the Philippines and apply for permanent status as refugees, the DOJ- RSPPU will evaluate whether they meet the international standards for refugee status. if necessary, the NBI and the NICA may be called upon to determine if the applicant poses a threat to national security,” Guevarra said.
“Upon determination and grant of refugee status by the DOJ, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will implement the decision and issue the appropriate documentation to the applicant,” he added.
Guevarra made the statement as the Department of Justice’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit serves as the lead agency in dealing with those seeking foreigners seeking refuge in the country.
State security authorities expressed fears that with the fall of its government, Afghanistan would become a haven for international terrorist groups.
Last Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines was willing to accept asylum seekers who are fleeing from Afghanistan after the Taliban took over ruling their country.
Guevarra stressed that the Philippines adopts an open arms policy towards refugees and other persons suffering persecution in their home countries.
“These include potential Afghan refugees displaced by the current political upheaval in their country. If their status as refugees is recognized by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and they need temporary shelter in the Philippines, we have an Emergency Transit Mechanism in place pursuant to a memorandum of agreement with the UNHCR,” the DOJ chief said.
Guevarra added there was no exact number of Afghan refugees nor order of priority on who would be accommodated.
“There is no specific quota. Neither is there a well-defined order of preference as to who will be granted refugee status. Everything is on a case-by-case or person-to-person basis. Once granted refugee status, an applicant and his family are essentially on their own. But the Philippine government may extend such assistance as it could afford,” he said.