The aid extended by the Philippines to Afghan refugees – allowing a limited number of Afghan nationals to go to the Philippines while their US Special Immigrant Visas are being processed – is proof of the compassionate and humane nature of Filipinos.
Senator Robin Padilla stressed this in his recent manifestation before the Senate plenary on the matter.
“Naging bukas na rin ang ating bansa sa mga migrants at refugees mula sa iba’t-ibang bansa noon pang 1900s.”
“Sa atin pong kasaysayan, alam naman po natin na naging bukas na rin ang ating bansa sa mga migrants at refugees mula sa iba’t-ibang bansa noon pang 1900s,” Padilla said.
“Hindi po ito nakapagtataka sapagkat likas ang pagiging mahabagin at matulungin nating mga Pilipino. Sang-ayon din po ito sa naunang polisiya noon ng dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. na nagwikang: ‘We are actually a nation composed of many refugees,’ noong inagurasyon po ng Philippine Refugee Processing Centre (PRPC) noong Enero 1980,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker noted the Philippines is part of the Coalition of the Willing and has a policy against terrorism – but considers refugees as allies and not enemies.
In 2023, the senator had supported the opening of Philippine borders for refugees seeking temporary shelter.
“Ang mga refugees po na ating pinagbubuksan ay siya ring mga lumaban sa mga terorista at extremists sa Afghanistan.”
“Ang mga terorista at extremists po ang ating kalaban tulad ng Taliban. Ang mga refugees po na ating pinagbubuksan ay siya ring mga lumaban sa mga terorista at extremists sa Afghanistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Padilla called on the government to be lenient towards Palestinians with Filipino spouses who are being repatriated due to the conflict in Gaza.
Citing a Department of Foreign Affairs official, he said Palestinians who are spouses of Filipinas have the right to be with their loved ones, and be given visas to enter the Philippines.
“Nawa po ay mamutawi ang ating damdaming mahabagin at makatao,” Padilla concluded.
