Philippines’ DOJ Evaluates Over 1,000 Asylum Applications for Approval

Philippines’ DOJ Evaluates Over 1,000 Asylum Applications for Approval

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | June 8, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing approximately 1,000 asylum applications from individuals fleeing persecution in Africa and the Middle East. This influx of requests places the nation’s historically open-door asylum policy under scrutiny.

Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan confirmed that while the Philippines currently recognizes about 1,000 previously granted refugees, an equivalent number of new applicants is undergoing evaluation for refugee status. “These individuals seek asylum due to severe persecution in their home countries, driven by factors such as religion, race, gender, political opinion, or membership in specific social groups,” Chan stated at a press briefing marking National Refugee Day on June 20.

The DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit processes each application, reflecting the gravity of every individual’s circumstances.

The Philippines has a distinguished history of offering sanctuary, dating back to 1921 with the arrival of approximately 250 “White” Russians escaping Bolshevik persecution. This was followed by an additional 6,000 in 1949. Decades earlier, in the 1930s, President Manuel L. Quezon famously granted asylum to an estimated 1,200 European Jews fleeing Nazi atrocities, solidifying the nation’s reputation as a haven.

Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees national office, highlighted the escalating global challenge. She noted that the fundamental right to seek asylum faces “increasing pressure” worldwide, as forced displacement reaches “near-record levels” amidst escalating conflicts and crises.

Valdeavilla-Gallardo emphasized the positive impact refugees and stateless persons have on their host communities. “Here in the Philippines, when empowered, they contribute as entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and active community members. They strengthen communities, enrich cultures, and contribute to inclusive and resilient development,” she affirmed.

This ongoing DOJ review underscores the Philippines’ commitment to humanitarian principles, even as it navigates the complex landscape of global displacement. The adjudication of these petitions will impact the lives of those seeking safety and further define the nation’s role as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with unprecedented challenges.

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