Up to 300 Afghans arrive in Philippines for US visa processing

Under deal, US government will shoulder cost of Afghans’ stays in Manila

By AFP
January 07, 2025
Refugees from Afghanistan being escorted to a bus after arriving at an airport. — AFP/File
Refugees from Afghanistan being escorted to a bus after arriving at an airport. — AFP/File

MANILA: Up to 300 Afghans arrived in the Philippines on Monday on temporary stays while being processed for US resettlement, Philippine and US officials said.

The Philippines and the United States signed an agreement last July allowing possibly hundreds of Afghans to stay in Manila while their US Special Immigrant visas were being processed.

This was despite domestic opposition in the Catholic-majority country over security and other concerns.“The DFA issued the appropriate Philippine entry visa to these applicants in line with current rules and regulations,” Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Teresita Daza said in a statement.

“All applicants completed extensive security vetting by Philippines national security agencies.”A US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, would not be specific about the number involved other than to say “up to 300”.

Under the deal, the US government will shoulder the cost of the Afghans’ stays in Manila, including food, housing, medical care, security and transportation, the Philippine DFA statement said.