Philippines to take in Syrian refugees

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is ready to take in Syrian refugees in response to the humanitarian crisis in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippines could be a temporary destination as refugees await acceptance from a host country for resettlement.

Jose said the Philippines needs to assess its resources and capabilities before it can decide to take in people escaping from war-torn nations.

“While we will abide by our commitments as a signatory to the UN Convention on refugees, we should also take into account our own resources and capabilities, considering we are still in the rehabilitation stage from the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda,” Jose said.

The head of the United Nations refugee agency is urging the European Union (EU) to accept up to 200,000 asylum-seekers fleeing the conflict zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hundreds of thousands of people are risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said the largest influx of refugees into Europe for decades requires a “massive common effort” and a break from the current fragmented approach, which he said has failed to find an effective common response.

“The issue should be addressed at its source, so the international community could help the countries from where these refugees are coming,” Jose said. 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the shocking images of children on the shores of Europe must be matched by action as the migrant and refugee crisis in the region deepens.

In June, the Philippines expressed willingness to share with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member-states, who would take in Bangladeshi and ethnic Rohingya migrants, its best practices in the processing of refugees and managing workers’ deployment.

The DFA said this was discussed during the special meeting on irregular migration in the Indian Ocean held in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The Philippines attended the meeting in solidarity with ASEAN.

The Philippine delegation, composed of officials from the DFA and the Department of Justice (DOJ), participated in the meeting on Rohingya refugees.