The Philippines remains “faithful’ to sustain” its commitment to its international partners to always give priority to the welfare of refugees, political asylums and stateless persons, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday.
“The state is whole-heartedly committed to upholding its international comity and relations with paramount consideration at all times. The Philippines will perpetually remain as a home, and its people a family, to our brothers and sisters overseas seeking refuge,” Remulla said.
Remulla made the assurance during the Department of Justice – Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU)-led celebration of the first ever National Refugee Day Forum on June 20.
This event also coincided with World Refugee Day which commemorates the courage and bravery of forcefully displaced persons.
“Today’s forum is a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to providing and expanding protection space to persons who seek refuge, safety and protection from persecution in whatever guise or form,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.
“Aligned with the longstanding humanitarian tradition of the Philippines, our doors remain open to provide international protection to the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to assist them in finding durable solutions to their circumstances,” added Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan.
As state party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions, the Philippines has pledged to provide protection to individuals forced to flee their home countries due to violence and persecution and address statelessness.