Protesters gather at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. Trish Badger, Reuters

MANILA -- Malacañang on Sunday said it respects US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies after the American leader temporarily suspended entry of refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries to the US.

“We respect the policy of the United States of America if they have prohibitions or they would be banning people from entering their country because that is their right,” Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Banaag said in an interview on dzRB.

Trump on Friday put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the US and temporarily barred travelers from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well as green card holders who are legal permanent residents of the US.

Banaag added that it is too early for the Palace to comment on Trump’s immigration policies since these have yet to reach the Philippine embassy.

Asked how the government plans to assist local travelers who may be barred entry in the US, Banaag responded: “What we can do perhaps would be to let the DFA negotiate on that matter. However, we would respect kung ano man ang regulasyon ng embahada o ng US on that matter.”