President Fidel Ramos - Issued an Order Granting Permanent Residence to 5,000 Aulacese

When in 1995 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) decided to stop the funding for refugee camps throughout Asia, some countries began "forced repatriation" to send the refugees back home, sometimes by violent means. Many refugees protested this kind of treatment. Some even committed suicide.

On June 9 1995, near the 97th Independence Day of the Philippines (June 12), President Fidel Ramos issued an order granting permanent residence to 5,000 Aulacese who entered the country before 1979. Upon hearing this news, The Supreme Master Ching Hai who had been working tirelessly to help find a home for the boat people, sent a letter to President Ramos and the Philippine Government congratulating them on their Independence Day and for their multitude of achievements. Above all, The Supreme Master thanked them on behalf of the 5,000 Aulac refugees.

His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos, Former President of the Philippines was awarded the "Shining World Leadership Award"

When the UNHCR stopped funding the camps, the Philippine government considered sending the remaining Aulac refugees home. The refugees themselves refused repatriation and went on a hunger strike. About 700 Aulacese escaped the Palawan refugee camp for fear they would be shipped back home. Many of them were minors without families since they would be the first to be sent back.

The news clipping about President Fidel Ramos' granting permanent residence to 5,000 Aulacese and the letter of appreciation from Supreme Master Ching Hai to President Ramos and the Philippine Government.