MANILA (UCAN): Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga welcomed the move by Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, to take in Ukrainian refugees, saying it would be the Philippines’ “gift to the whole world.”
The bishop, who also heads the Catholic bishops’ Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said helping war victims was a moral obligation of all Catholics.
“That is good news to our humanity. We have done that before and we did it successfully and fruitfully,” he told Radyo Veritas.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines had asked for prayers for the people of Ukraine, which has suffered many civilian casualties since Russia invaded on February 24.
Nearly three million refugees from Ukraine have fled to neighbouring countries in what foreign policy experts say is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
Bishop Santos urged other bishops to remember Ukrainians in their Masses. “We, chaplains, are offering Holy Masses to urge Russia to foster peace and stop the invasion,” he said.
Duterte, said on March 9 that the Philippines would be willing to take in Ukrainian refugees as part of humanitarian efforts to help those fleeing invading Russian forces.
“We will honour our international obligation or commitment in the union of nations and the international community. We will defend those who cannot defend themselves, especially if they are victims of violence,” Duterte told reporters.
Duterte said he had signed an order requiring the Department of Justice to jumpstart the process of admitting refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
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“I’ve already signed an executive order so that a system would be in place should there be a deluge of people seeking refuge because of the war,” he added. However, he did not say how many refugees the Philippines would be willing to accept.
Justice secretary, Meynardo Guevarra, said the country would be ready to accept war victims if and when Ukrainian citizens seek refuge in the Philippines.
“But should there be any, applications will be evaluated in accordance with our laws and the recently signed executive order by the president … we will be ready,” said Guevarra in an interview with The Inquirer.
