President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has not yet reached a decision regarding the United States’ request to host Afghan refugees in the Philippines.
According to a Manila Bulletin report, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said “no decision yet” on whether the country will shelter Afghan refugees.
Last month, Marcos acknowledged that the government was evaluating the possibility of receiving Afghan refugees but noted that the situation is complex due to political and security concerns.
“We have made some progress, but there are still some major obstacles to us being able to do it, but we continue to consult with our friends from the United States,” Marcos said in a media interview last July.
Earlier in June, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez bared that the US government had requested the Philippines to temporarily host Afghan refugees, specifically those who worked for the US government and faced threats due to their affiliation.
Meanwhile, Marcos asserted that while there’s no set deadline, the government will continue seeking a solution that doesn’t compromise national security.
