DOJ looks into Cohen asylum application

The Department of Justice (DOJ) started looking into the application for refugee status and political asylum of a Frenchman working as a senior consultant at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB).

DOJ chief state counsel Ricardo Paras said Marc Cohen, 38, will be interviewed to determine the veracity of his application, which was received by the department on Wednesday.

Paras said Cohen’s first interview is scheduled on the last week of April but the proceedings would be confidential as provided for by Department Order No. 94, which outlines the procedure for processing applications for the granting of refugee status.

It was gathered that the first interview is set on Monday, April 26.

Paras said the date of Cohen’s first interview was actually set by his lawyers, who are scheduled to leave for abroad.

He disclosed that Cohen’s 60-page petition will be evaluated by members of the DOJ’s legal staff. If the justice secretary finds that the application is complete in form and is accompanied by all the required documents, the applicant will be interviewed to determine the veracity of his statements, Paras told reporters shortly after meeting with Cohen and his lawyers from the Roque and Butuyan law office.

Paras said that under the rules, the secretary of justice will have 30 days from the last date of interview to decide on the merits of the application.

Cohen, who claimed to have diplomatic status being a member of an international organization, went to the DOJ to follow up his application.

In the Philippines, an applicant cannot be expelled or returned to his country of origin if there are valid reasons to believe that his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.

An applicant shall also not be punished on account of his illegal entry or presence in the country provided he presents himself without delay to the authorities and shows good reason for his illegal entry and presence.

Cohen said he had no other choice but to apply for refugee status and political asylum for himself and his nine-year-old son as the French government has reportedly refused to renew all his travel documents, including his passport, which will expire on May 19.

He maintained that he is not a fugitive from justice and that his continuous employment at an international organization would prove his good name.

Paras said it was the first time in his experience that a Frenchman is seeking asylum in the Philippines.