Nearly 200 Afghan nationals have been flown to the United States after their special immigration visas were processed in the Philippines, as stated by the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The Afghans, who arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 6, left between Jan. 15 to 17, after completing their application process for resettlement in the U.S.
Filipino Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino welcomed the news that the Afghans left the country safely, and emphasized their treatment with dignity and respect.
The Afghan refugees were primarily Afghanis who worked directly for the United States government in Afghanistan, or those permitted special visas but were left behind in the country after the American withdrawal.