Seventeen of the detained Filipinos in Qatar have been granted a provisional release, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac.

In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, 3 April, Cacdac confirmed the detainees were released in two batches — 12 men at around 2:30 a.m. and five women at around 4 a.m. that day.

“This means they have their liberty. Pending investigation, they are able to go home to their respective residences in Doha, Qatar, and spend time with their loved ones,” Cacdac said.

The 17 Filipinos were among 20 individuals arrested on 28 March at a resort in Doha for participating in an unauthorized political demonstration marking former President Rodrigo Duterte’s birthday and protesting his detention in The Hague, Netherlands. Three minors who were detained were released earlier.

The DMW secretary noted that no charges had been filed against the 17 rallyists, but the Qatari prosecution service is continuing its investigation.

If charges are pursued, the Filipinos could face imprisonment of six months to three years and a fine of QAR 10,000 to 50,000 (P157,900 to P789,000).

Cacdac said that Qatar’s judicial process is generally fast but refrained from providing a specific timeline for the Filipinos’ cases to avoid raising expectations.

“At this stage, rest assured our legal counsel will be there to ensure the speed and determination of the ultimate findings on the Qatari side, so that the case can be settled once and for all for the benefit of our fellow countrymen,” he said.

The DMW secretary reminded Filipinos abroad to comply with the laws of their host countries, warning that while some countries, like Qatar, respond with arrests, others monitor and surveil the Filipino community.