System in place for processing potential Afghan refugees听鈥斕鼶oJ听听听
MECHANISMS听are听in place for processing possible refugees from Afghanistan who may seek asylum in the Philippines, Justice Secretary听Menardo听I. Guevarra听said on Wednesday.听听听
鈥淚f Afghan nationals do arrive in the Philippines and apply for permanent status as refugees, the DoJ听(Department of Justice)听Refugees and Stateless Persons unit will evaluate whether they meet the international standards for refugee status,鈥澨齅r. Guevarra told reporters听Wednesday听in a group message on Viber.听听听
He听explained that the Philippines has an听鈥渆mergency transit mechanism鈥澨齣n place for refugees and other persons suffering from persecution in their home countries,听in line with听the country鈥檚 memorandum of agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.听听听
Foreign media outlets have been reporting on how Afghans are desperately trying to leave their country in the wake of the takeover of the ultra-conservative Taliban earlier this week following the pullout of US troops.听听听
Mr. Guevarra added that there is no specific limit of refugees who will be accepted in the听Philippines,听鈥渘either is there a well-defined order of preference as to who will be granted refugee status.鈥澨听
The听Philippine听government may also extend financial assistance to the refugees听鈥渁s it could afford,鈥澨齢e听said.听听听听
At the same time, local intelligence agencies will be tapped to assist in the screening of asylum seekers.听听听
鈥淚f necessary, the NBI听(National Bureau of Investigation)听and the NICA听(National Intelligence Coordinating Agency)听may be called upon to determine if the applicant poses a threat to national security,鈥澨齮he Justice chief听said.听听听听
Some local extremist factions such as the Abu Sayyaf and Maute group have ties with the Islamic State, though this militant group is not known to have close affiliation with Afghanistan鈥檚 Taliban nor the al Qaeda.听鈥斕鼴ianca Angelica D.听A帽ago听听
