DFA confirms arrest of 17 Filipinos in Qatar due to protest in support of Duterte
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 17 Filipinos were arrested and detained in Qatar for allegedly holding suspected unauthorized political protests.
In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said that the Filipinos were apprehended on March 27 and are currently detained at a police station about 60 kilometers from Doha.
He said that these protesters were supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who held the assembly as part of his 80th birthday. Duterte is detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague over his alleged crimes against humanity in connection to his bloody drug war.
"May 17 na inaresto dahil may ginagawang political rally na bawal 'yun sa Qatar. Ito ay mga tumututol sa pagdadala kay dating Pangulong Duterte sa Netherlands, mayroon ding pito na may rally pinalaya dahil hindi connected sa rally ng isa, 'yung pito na 'yun ay grupo ni Pastor Quiboloy," De Vega explained.
He added, "Hinuli sila dahil hindi po dahil nagrarally sila laban sa pamahalaang Pilipino. Kahit anong political rally [ay] 'di pwede sa Qatar o borders nun, babala na yan ng embahada."
The undersecretary said they would give legal assistance to the detained Filipinos.
He also urged other Filipinos abroad to refrain from holding physical rallies.
"Mayroon pa raw na mga rallies na inaannounce sa social network pero sinasabihan sila ng ating embahada na itigil na nalang ito, baka mahuli sila," he noted.
"Mga kababayan, alam naming may karapatan kayo sa Pilipinas (magprotesta)... iba iba po ang panig natin sa pulitika, pero pag nasa Qatar hindi pwede eh. Hindi ito USA na pwedeng sumali sa political rallies."
De Vega added that the arrested Filipinos may face a maximum of 15 days in jail, but he believes that there's a chance they won't be imprisoned.
Under Qatar Law No. 18 of 2004 on Public Meetings and Demonstrations, any individual who holds or organizes a public meeting or procession without a permit will face imprisonment for a period of at least six months, up to a maximum of three years, along with a fine ranging from a minimum of 10,000 Riyals (P152,970) to a maximum of 50,000 Riyals (P764,850).
De Vega also emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not mandate the arrest of the 17 Filipinos but rather the Qatari government itself.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Doha assured that they are now "in touch with local authorities for the provision of necessary consular assistance to said nationals."
The embassy also reiterated a previous advisory last March 13, stating that "all Filipino nationals in the country to respect local laws and customs relating to mass demonstrations and expressions of political grievances."
The Department of Migrant Workers also said it would extend support to OFWs in Qatar.
