While many Asian countries are tightening their refugee policies, the Philippines continues to keep its doors open. Here, compassion is not just an ideal; it is a tradition.
The story of the Philippines’ open-door policy begins in earnest in the 1930s. As Jews in Europe faced persecution and most countries refused them entry, the Philippines, under the leadership of President Manuel L. Quezon, offered asylum to over 1,300 Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. Despite being under American control and facing local challenges, Quezon chose to stand on the side of humanity. “I want to show the world that we, too, can be a safe place,” he said.
In the 1950s and ’60s, after China invaded Tibet, a group of Tibetan monks and refugees found their way to the Philippines. They were welcomed peacefully into a country still recovering from war and colonialism. It was never a media spectacle, just a quiet, respectful gesture of refuge.
When the Vietnam War ended in 1975, tens of thousands fled the country by sea, often in fragile boats. Many ended up in refugee camps across Asia, but few nations were willing to resettle them permanently. Despite its economic difficulties, the Philippines accepted several thousand Vietnamese boat people. Palawan became home to a large refugee camp known for its humane conditions. Many Vietnamese still remember the warm reception with deep gratitude, and the local food culture still bears French influences with fresh morning baguettes and croissants.
In recent years, the Philippines has continued to lead by example in the region. In 2015, when neighboring countries turned away Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, the Philippines offered to take them in. The same compassion extended to Burmese political dissidents, refugees from East Timor, and even defectors from North Korea.
While other countries cite “national security” and “limited capacity,” the Philippines has repeatedly emphasized its moral responsibility as part of the international community.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Philippines once again opened its doors. The country welcomed several Ukrainian refugees, especially women and children. Some have found work, started small businesses, or integrated into local communities.
When I first came to the Philippines in 1992, I was immediately struck by the country’s hospitality, and eventually also by the violence that existed in certain areas, especially in Mindanao. On May 20, 1992, I was in a hotel lobby in Zamboanga when a young journalist came running in from the street, asking if anyone had a vehicle available. I offered my government-issued car from the Department of Fisheries with a driver at my disposal. When they returned, I learned that two men on a motorcycle had just shot an Italian priest. The journalist advised me to cancel my planned trip to the Sulu Archipelago, advice I took seriously.
In Davao, on the eastern side of Mindanao, an unorthodox mayor named Rodrigo Duterte tried to regain control of the violence. He did so based on a motto inherited from his father: “Elected officials must serve the greater good, no matter what it takes, like a father protecting and disciplining his family.”
In my opinion, Duterte’s brutal war on drugs must be seen in this context. His merciless campaign has deep roots in the society that shaped him. The same is true for Filipino hospitality. It is powerful, often as strong and uncompromising as the fury toward forces that destroy the young, who are meant to carry the country forward and create a good life for everyone, including refugees.
The answer likely lies in the people’s history. An island nation marked by colonialism, war, and migration knows what vulnerability means. Millions of Filipinos have emigrated, and thousands work overseas, learning firsthand how crucial it is to be met with dignity. And as I have witnessed time and again, Filipinos seem to carry an inner joy, expressed in spontaneous smiles, no matter how hard life gets.
Today, we see how countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are increasingly closing their borders to refugees, often with the backing of their populations. The Philippines stands apart.
The Philippines has recently also agreed with the United States to host Afghan refugees awaiting visa processing temporarily.
It is a quiet affirmation of the country’s continued role as a compassionate participant in global refugee efforts.
Even with limited resources, the Philippines offers protection and a chance at a new life. That’s something worth remembering in a world growing more divided by the day.
Featured image © Eldar Einarson
