An aircraft flies near the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world’s tallest building, above the Dubai skyline on February 13, 2024. —AFP FILE PHOTO
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned 220 Filipinos jailed for various offenses, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
The pardons were granted as the UAE marked its 53rd National Day on Dec. 2, as President Marcos intervened on behalf of the Filipinos to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi are now processing the requirements for the return of the Filipinos to the country.
In June, 143 overseas Filipino workers received clemency during Eid al-Adha.
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi regularly seeks humanitarian pardons for Filipinos jailed in the UAE, usually during “joyous occasions” such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said.