June 20 declared Nationall Refugee Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has declared June 20 of every year as National Refugee Day, amid controversy over a request of the US for the Philippines to temporarily host its 50,000 former Afghan employees forced to flee their country after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

The declaration is contained in Proclamation 265 signed by Marcos last June 20 and uploaded on the Official Gazette yesterday.

He added that the Philippines has a longstanding humanitarian tradition of opening its arms to those who seek safety and promoting an environment suitable for people forced to flee their countries of origin, stateless persons and populations at risk of statelessness.

“With more than 100 million people forced to flee globally and with an estimated 264,000 persons of concern currently hosted by the Philippines, the government recognizes the necessity for a national observance of the World Refugee Day to protect and uphold the rights of refugees, stateless persons and asylum seekers and increase awareness and recognition of their welfare, needs and vulnerabilities,” Marcos said in the proclamation.

The proclamation came as some sectors are opposing a request by the US for the Philippines to temporarily house 50,000 Afghans before they are relocated to the US.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier clarified that the Afghans are not refugees but people “who have worked with the US government and their qualified members.”

According to the DFA, the Afghans are in the last stages of their US special immigration visa application.

Among those against the US’ request is Vice President Sara Duterte, who has raised security and sovereignty issues.– Pia Lee-Brago