The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac last week confirmed that the 17 Filipinos recently arrested in Qatar for alleged illegal assembly have been provisionally released.
“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,” Cacdac said during a Malacañang press briefing.
He said the DMW, in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, is continuously providing legal and welfare assistance to the group.
“As directed by the President, legal assistance and welfare assistance will continually be provided to the 17 (Filipinos),” he added.
Cacdac noted that the individuals were released in batches, with the three minors among them released immediately after their arrest.
He clarified that while the 17 Filipinos are now back in their homes in Doha, the investigation is still ongoing.
Those detained included 12 men, five women, and three minors. They were taken into custody on March 27 for allegedly participating in a rally supporting former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was reportedly arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial for crimes against humanity.
Following the arrests, President Marcos instructed the DMW to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Doha, and the One Country Team to ensure the necessary support for the detained nationals.
Cacdac also took the opportunity to remind overseas Filipino workers to abide by the laws of their host nations.
“Ang mensahe ay mag-ingat lang po. Siguraduhing sundin ang batas, ang mga regulasyon ng host countries,” he said.