Case dismissed for 17 Filipinos in Qatar

The 17 Filipinos who were provisionally released in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized political demonstration have been cleared of their charges, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro.

In a briefing on Monday, 7 April, Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to the government of Qatar to release the Filipinos through Qatari Ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi. She noted that, according to Al-Homidi, the decision is a reflection of the strong relations between Qatar and the Philippines.

“This was closely monitored by the President to ensure assistance for our 17 countrymen in Qatar. As a result, their cases have been dismissed and they have been released,” Castro added. 

With the dismissal of the charges, the 17 Filipinos are free to continue working in Qatar or return to the Philippines if they wish to.

The 17 Filipinos were arrested on 28 March in Doha for an unauthorized political demonstration showing support for former President Rodrigo Duterte. Three other individuals, who were minors, were earlier released.

Castro stated that the Filipinos were dismissed from charges of illegal assembly.

On 3 April, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac announced in a press briefing at Malacañang that the Filipinos had been granted 'provisional release,' allowing them to return to their respective residences in Doha, Qatar, pending investigation.