1 Filipino released, 19 still detained in Qatar after rally, says DFA

Police officers patrol a street in Qatar. QATAR POLICE

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Sunday (March 30) that 20 Filipinos and not 17 were arrested in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized political rally. One has since been released, while 19 remain in police custody. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippine Embassy in Qatar has been granted access to the detainees and is working to secure their release. “Ayon sa ambassador natin sa Doha, Qatar, actually 20 . Tapos may isang na-release. Napayagan na makausap sila. Sinusubukan nating ma-release sila (According to our ambassador in Doha, Qatar, there were 20 Filipinos arrested, and then one was released. We were allowed to talk to them. We're working on having them released),” he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. De Vega warned that if charges are filed against the detainees, they could face up to three years in prison under Qatari law. The Philippine Embassy will provide legal assistance should the case proceed to trial.

Unauthorized rally in Qatar

According to the Philippine Embassy in Qatar on Friday (March 29), the Filipinos were arrested for their involvement in a political demonstration, which authorities suspect was related to the detention of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte, who turned 80 on March 28, remains in Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). His supporters worldwide, including in the Philippines, the United States, and the Netherlands, staged rallies to protest his detention. The Philippine Embassy in Qatar reiterated that all forms of political demonstrations are illegal in the Gulf state. “Lahat ng klase ng political rally, bawal sa Qatar (All types of political rallies are prohibited in Qatar),” de Vega stressed. De Vega previously confirmed that the detainees were still under investigation and that Qatari law requires police investigations before access to lawyers is allowed. He also cautioned other Filipinos against staging further rallies, saying that Qatari authorities may impose harsher penalties, including immediate deportation. “Mga kababayan, alam naming may karapatan kayo sa Pilipinas , pero pag nasa Qatar, hindi pwede eh. Hindi ito USA na pwedeng sumali sa political rallies (Our countrymen, we know you have the right to protest in the Philippines, but in Qatar, it’s not allowed. This is not the USA where you can join political rallies),” he said in a previous interview with Radyo Pilipinas. Under Qatar’s law, public protests require prior government approval. Violators risk deportation, up to three years in prison, or fines of up to 50,000 Qatari riyals (around P770,000). The DFA urged Filipinos abroad to respect local laws and exercise their political rights through overseas voting rather than engaging in unauthorized demonstrations. ICA/Expat Media