Three Filipino minors have been released after being detained by Qatari authorities for their participation in a political demonstration, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega confirmed.
However, the mother of the minors and 16 other Filipinos remain in police custody.
“We’re hopeful that they will be released next week or so. If there is a case against them, which would mean up to 3 years detention, they aren’t causing trouble, plus deportation, they will have services of legal counsel,” De Vega said.
“Our Embassy is trying to work with lawyers and our consuls there to convince the authorities to set them free already, or maybe with a fine instead of a case,” he added.
Qatari law strictly prohibits political rallies and demonstrations, a regulation that applies across many parts of the Middle East. In Qatar, particularly, legal charges of political rallies and demonstrations could lead to up to three years of detention and deportation.
According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, their arrest was not related to visa issues or immigration violations but solely due to their participation in what authorities classified as a political rally.
“They weren’t arrested because they didn’t have a visa. That’s not the reason. It was really about the political demonstration of the OFWs in Qatar,” De Vega clarified in a mix of English and Filipino, debunking misinformation suggesting otherwise.
He added that while the gathering may have been intended as a simple show of support for former president Rodrigo Duterte, it was perceived differently under Qatari law.
“I think they were harmless. It was more like a picnic gathering. However, they had T-shirts, placards, or what,” De Vega said.
De Vega reminded Filipinos in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries to avoid political gatherings, as these could lead to legal consequences: “This is a good warning for Filipinos in Qatar or other countries in the Middle East to not join.”
“You can release your sentiments as Filipino citizens without being jailed, without being arrested (through elections),” De Vega said.
He also dismissed misinformation spreading online that the Philippine Embassy was responsible for the arrests.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “3 Filipino minors released over ‘political rally’ in Qatar.”