Metro Manila, Philippines – The charges against 17 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were detained in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized demonstration have been dismissed, Malacañang announced on Monday, April 7.
In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines Saad Al-Homidi personally relayed the news to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Ito raw ang reflection ng maganda at matatag na pagkakaibigan ng dalawang bansa,” said Castro.
[Translation: This, he said, reflects the strong and enduring friendship between the two countries]
Malacañang said the president has directed all concerned government agencies to extend the necessary assistance to the Filipinos.
“Ito po ay talagang tinutukan po ng ating Pangulo para po mabigyan po ng tulong ang 17 na kababayan natin dito sa Qatar, at ito nga po ang naging resulta na na-dismiss na po ang kaso at mapalaya po sila,” she added.
[Translation: The president personally focused on this issue to ensure that our 17 fellow Filipinos in Qatar received help. As a result, the case was dismissed and they will be released.]
Last week, the Department of Migrant Workers said Qatari authorities granted the provisional release of the 17 Filipinos, who were earlier detained for allegedly staging an unauthorized protest in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
They were accused of illegal assembly without a permit and disturbing public order. Duterte is detained in the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity for murder at the International Criminal Court in connection with his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
In a separate post on Instagram, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shared his happiness with the decision of the Qatari government not to pursue charges against the Filipinos.
“I’m happy to share with you that Qatar has confirmed it will not pursue charges against the 17 Filipinos who were earlier detained for illegal assembly. They will not face any penalties and will be allowed to return to work,” said Marcos.
