Case Studies

Case Study 1

Mr. Hatta, a Genovian citizen, is applying for refugee status in the

Philippines. When asked why he is seeking asylum, he claimed that
the government pursued him because of his religion. Later on, it was
found that Mr. Hatta is a leader of a cult that the Genovian
government is tracking for its involvement in child pornography.

Is he a refugee?
Case Study 2

Miro claims to be in need of international protection after joining

protests staged by her ethnic group, the Norala tribe, which is the
biggest tribe in the country of Karamata. She said that private armies
have invaded their ancestral lands, and their Government, which is
currently undergoing a constitutional crisis, is unable to prevent this
sequestration from happening. Moreover, publicly staging protests is
a punishable offense under their national laws. Youth leaders, she
said, are particularly pursued by armies to control dissent.

Is she a refugee?
Case Study 3
Anelia, a Bogo national, detained in the city jail for two days for
suspected ties to an international terrorist group. On her second
night, she complained of stomach pains and was rushed to the
hospital. It was found that she is pregnant and has to undergo
emergency delivery. After delivery, another Government intelligence
agency is saying that the child should not be registered, given
Anelia’s suspected terrorist links. When asked for documents, she
was able to present a Certificate of Pending Asylum Application
issued by the DOJ.

What could be the anticipated issues regarding Anelia’s situation?

How will you proceed with this case?
Case Study 4
One of those arrested in an entrapment operation for the
illegal sale of firearms is a Silan national named
Loshkanov. He said that he does not have any
involvement in this matter and he was only duped by one
of his compatriots on this scheme. Later, he claims to be
a refugee and said that DOJ can vouch for him.

How will you reconcile Loshkanov’s involvement in the

operation with his status as a refugee? How will you
proceed with this case?
Case Study 5
Berto, a Filipino national, took his wife Berta, a Tirdan
national, to the PAO District Office near their residence.
Berta said that she fears for her safety as the Tirdan
Government has been after ex-journalists like her who have
criticized the ruling administration. Berto and Berta want to
seek asylum in the neighboring country of Tundra.

How would you advise them?

Case Study 6
Komodo approached your office to discuss his
concerns on his family’s daily subsistence. He said
that as an asylum seeking family in the Philippines, it
has been difficult for them to get a job and support
themselves.

How would you advise him?

Case Study 7
While visiting a client in the city jail, one of the warden
officers mentioned to you that they have been
encountering an issue with a foreigner who has been
insisting that his Embassy should not be contacted as he
fears getting deported to his country of origin, who
penalizes members of the LGBTIQ community like him.

What intervention can you do as a PAO lawyer to assist

the case?
Case Study 8
Jordan, a former client you successfully helped with his
motion for reconsideration on his asylum application,
approached you to seek advice as he is interested to
apply for naturalization in the Philippines.

How would you be able to assist him on his concern?

Case Study 9
During an inquest procedure for a fraudulent travel document
and illegal entry, you have noted that the foreigner involved in
the case said that he does not want to go back to his country
of origin because he is worried that the ongoing conflict
between the ruling class and the ethnic minority he belonged
to will put his life in danger. He further mentioned that this was
the reason he was so desperate to leave his country.

How will you advise him on his concern?

Case Study 10
While the lawyer on duty one Saturday evening, you
received a call from UNHCR requesting for support in
assisting an individual at the airport who has expressed
intention to seek asylum in the Philippines, but the airline
is insisting to board her already. When you discussed
this with your boss, he was confused why this request
was forwarded to PAO.

Will you be able to assist the case? Why and how?

Case Study 11

Ahmar Amira, a citizen of Durbansk, said that he intends to

seek asylum in the Philippines. During the interrogation, he
reveals himself as Gurov Arkady, the newly-deposed
President of Durbansk. He said that he is using a different
identity to evade people who are trying to pursue him. You
later recall that Arkady is currently charged with war crimes
during his two-decade dictatorship.

Given these information, can he apply for refugee status?

Case Study 12
During a surprise inspection in a call center in Makati, Javert was
one of the employees nabbed for not having the appropriate work
permit. In his frustration, he slapped the authorities trying to put him
in handcuffs while claiming that he cannot be sent to jail because he
is an asylum seeker. He demanded to talk to a lawyer but upon
checking, he said that he does not have the means to pay for a
private lawyer.

How will you be able to assist the case?