President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on Monday that the Philippine government has to seriously look into the request of the United States to allow the temporary stay of Afghanistan refugees in the country before coming up with a decision.

President Marcos told reporters in an interview in Pampanga that the issue of hosting Afghan nationals in the Philippines is a more complicated matter than in previous cases where the country accepted refugees.

“I would like to manifest the Filipino instinct of hospitality,” President Marcos said.

“Many times had happened that there have been…situations around the world and may mga nagkaka-refugee, hindi tinatanggap kahit saan, tayo tinatanggap natin at hindi tayo kinakalimutan ng tinulungan natin. Eh ganyan talaga ang ugali ng Pinoy.”

“Ngunit ito ay ibang usapan ‘to kasi may halong pulitika, may halong…security so medyo mas kumplikado ‘to. So, we’ll look at it very, very well before making a decision,” he added.

The statement of President Marcos came after he was asked if the Philippine government has already decided on the request of US President Joe Biden during his state visit in Washington DC to temporarily accept refugees from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

President Marcos said that there is no deadline set for the request.

“What we are talking about is that we are trying to see what are the problems…what issues are arising. And in so doing, we are trying to find ways to remedy those issues that we feel are something that we have to deal with,” President Marcos said.

“So, we have made some progress but there are still some major obstacles to us being able to do it. But we continue to consult with our friends in the United States,” he added.

The chief executive led the distribution of various government assistance and the briefing and site inspection of the proposed Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC) in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. PND