The Qatari government has allowed the Philippine labor attaché in the country to meet with the Filipinos who were detained for an unauthorized political demonstration, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a statement on Tuesday, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Philippine Embassy in Qatar was helping the 17 detained Filipinos, with the labor attaché, who is a lawyer, providing assistance.

Cacdac said the detainees are “physically well,” but they face legal proceedings under Qatari law. “We will have to await the findings of the Qatari side on this matter,” he added.

‘I think it was harmless, more like a picnic gathering, but maybe they had T-shirts or placards.’

Over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified that 20 Filipinos, not 17, were detained in Qatar.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega on Monday said the group was arrested for staging a demonstration to protest the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte who is under detention in The Hague, Netherlands.

“I think it was harmless, more like a picnic gathering, but maybe they had T-shirts or placards,” De Vega said.

Of the detainees, 12 are men and five are women. The DMW said three minors initially detained had been released, but their parents remain in custody.

Qatar strictly regulates public gatherings, particularly those with political themes, which led to the arrest of the Filipinos.