The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary has announced that Qatar has provisionally released 17 Filipinos arrested for participating in an illegal assembly.
“We are very, very thankful to the Qatari authorities, to the Qatari government for allowing the provisional release of the 17 as the investigations proceed,” Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a Palace briefing.
“As directed by the President, legal assistance and welfare assistance will continually be provided to the 17 (Filipinos),” he added.
He said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed him to secure the immediate release of the 17 individuals, who were arrested on March 27 for participating in a rally supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The group included 12 men, 5 women, and 3 minors. The minors were released immediately following their arrest, while the rest were freed in two separate batches. They will remain in Doha pending the ongoing investigation.
Cacdac emphasized that legal and welfare assistance would continue to be provided to the group. He also reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to adhere to the laws of their host countries.
“Mag-ingat po tayo at siguraduhing sundin ang mga batas at regulasyon ng host countries,” he said.IMT
