3 minors out but 16 still held after Qatar rally
- Those still detained — without bail — for joining an unauthorized pro-Duterte rally are being questioned on whether they planned to disrupt Qatar, damage its relations with PH, or embarrass the country.
- A total of 20 Filipinos who participated in a political demonstration were arrested by Qatari authorities, with one already released from detention.
- Unlike in Europe, where Duterte supporters have also gathered to protest his detention at The Hague, Middle Eastern countries like Qatar have stricter rules.
Three Filipino minors in Qatar who took part in an unauthorized political protest supporting detained former President Rodrigo Duterte have been released from detention, while 16 others remain in police custody, Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said on Monday.
De Vega earlier said that a total of 20 Filipinos who participated in a political demonstration were arrested by Qatari authorities, with one already released from detention.
In a media update, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official noted that while three teenagers had been released, their mother remained in police custody.
Citing information from Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Mardomel Melicor, De Vega noted that bail does not apply in Doha.
“They will finish the investigations and set the detained person free if warranted, or keep him or her in detention if charges are filed,” De Vega said, quoting Melicor.
Authorities have been questioning the detainees about whether they planned to disrupt Qatar, damage its relations with the Philippines or embarrass the country, he said.
The female demonstrators were questioned over the weekend, while the male protesters were set to undergo police interrogation late Monday, De Vega said.
“Maybe if they are convinced that this is just harmless demonstration as a support for a former president, we hope they will be released,” De Vega added.
He noted that the process might take longer, possibly due to the Ramadan season, when work hours in Muslim countries are shortened.
He also clarified that there would be no repatriations since the individuals remain in police custody.
“Our goal is for them to be released and return to work. That’s what the embassy is working on, so we hope for the best,” De Vega said.
Duterte is in jail in the Netherlands after the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest for alleged crime against humanity related to thousands of deaths during his administration’s drug war.
As he turned 80 on March 28, his supporters staged rallies in the Philippines and abroad, calling for his return.
That same day, the Philippine Embassy in Doha said that several Filipinos had been arrested for “suspected unauthorized political demonstrations” in Qatar.
De Vega clarified that the arrests were due to their participation in a political demonstration — or what Qatari authorities perceived as one.
“Now, we know they were just indicating their support for the former president. And I think they were harmless. It was more like a picnic gathering. However, they had T-shirts, placards, or something similar, which is why they were arrested,” he explained.
The Philippine Embassy in Doha is working through lawyers and consuls to convince the authorities to release the detainees or impose a fine or other penalty instead of filing charges against them, De Vega noted.
“We’re hopeful that they will be released in the next week or so. If there’s a case against them, it could mean up to three years in detention,” he added, noting that the government would provide legal assistance if needed.
Unlike in Europe, where Duterte supporters have also gathered to protest his detention at The Hague, De Vega emphasized that Middle Eastern countries like Qatar have stricter rules.
The incident also serves as a “good warning” to Filipinos in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries, De Vega added, stressing that they should not participate in political demonstrations if such activities are banned by their host countries.
“The situation in the Middle East is different. You’re not in the Philippines, and we know that there are emotional issues involved. But you’re there to work and not to lose your job for yourself and your family,” the diplomat said.
Absentee voting
De Vega urged Filipinos to follow the embassy’s advisory and not spread misinformation that the embassy was responsible for the arrests or in imposing restrictions.
“We have no authority in Qatar. The Qatari authorities have the power there. We are simply following their rules and regulations, which prohibit political rallies,” he said.
For those who wish to express their political views, De Vega advised them to register with the embassy for absentee voting.
“That’s one way you can express your feelings as Filipino citizens — without imprisonment or arrest — because political rallies in the Middle East are reportedly prohibited. That’s how it is. We must respect the rules of the local government,” De Vega pointed out.
The Philippine government, he said, continues to provide assistance to Duterte, noting that he personally authorized winter expenditures for the former president’s family and other associates.
“Also, our surrender of the former president did not mean that we judged him. We’re complying with our international obligations because there was an Interpol request. We did not say he’s guilty. We want him to have his day in court as well,” De Vega said.
