THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday denied social media posts saying that
Filipinos being held in Qatar for illegal political assembly have been asked to post a P1 million bail bond for their release.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega branded the posts as “fake news.”
“That’s fake news. Walang bail dito (There is no bail here),” De Vega told One News in an interview when sought for an update on the case of the detained Filipinos.
“Mangyayari diyan, either ipapalaya sila o kakasuhan. Atsaka matagal ang detention dito (What will happen is either they will be released or they will be charged. The detention time here is long),” he also said.
He reiterated that any political rally is prohibited in Qatar and that violators could face up to three years in prison.
Under Qatar’s Law No.18 of 2024, it is illegal for any group to hold protests, demonstrations and public gatherings without approval from the Qatari government.
Aside from imprisonment, violators, if they are immigrants, may face deportation and a fine of up to 50,000 riyals, which De Vega said could be reduced.
De Vega said police investigation is still ongoing and that Qatari authorities are trying to find out who spearheaded the protest last March 28.
He said the Philippine embassy is providing assistance, including legal assistance, to the detained Filipinos, and is talking to Qatari authorities if they can be spared from paying any charges.
De Vega earlier said the gathering was a “harmless” event, more of a picnic, to celebrate the 80th birthday of former president Rodrigo Duterte who has been arrested and extradited to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Duterte’s arrest triggered protest actions by his supporters in the Philippines and abroad, who have been calling for his release and return to Manila.
LEGAL AID
Vice President Sara Duterte said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will try to help the detained Duterte supporters in Qatar.
“I already endorsed to them (OVP) to reach out through the correct channels, what we can do to assist as the OVP,” she told reporters in The Hague in the Netherlands, where her father is being tried for crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, an administration lawmaker yesterday told former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to provide concrete legal assistance to the detained OFWs in Qatar.
Rep. Jude Acidre (PL, Tingog), chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said Roque, who is also in the Netherlands to seek political asylum, should use his expertise in international law to secure the release or at least ensure a fair treatment of the detained OFWs instead of just appealing to Qatari authorities.
“Wala naman siyang official business sa Netherlands. Hindi naman siya parte ng legal defense team doon, kaya bakit hindi na lang siya tumulong dito sa ating gobyerno upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at hustisya para sa OFWs na nakakulong sa Qatar? (He doesn’t have any official business in the Netherlands. He’s not part of (Duterte’s) legal defense team there, so why not just help the government in ensuring the safety and justice for OFWs detained in Qatar?” he said.
The House quad committee has a pending warrant of arrest against the former Duterte spokesman who was linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) after a house in Tuba, Benguet, which he reportedly owned, was raided, resulting in the arrest of two Chinese linked to an illegal POGO operation in Bamban, Tarlac.
“Habang abalang-abala ang administrasyong Marcos sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino na nahuli sa Qatar, mas mainam siguro na gamitin ni Atty. Harry Roque ang kanyang kakayahan bilang isang international lawyer para tulungan ang ating mga kababayang OFW sa Qatar sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng legal na tulong o kaya’y pagkalap ng financial support (While the Marcos administration is busy helping our fellow Filipinos caught in Qatar, it would be better for Harry Roque to use his expertise as an international lawyer to help our OFWs in Qatar by offering legal aid or financial support),” Acidre said.
The DFA has said that the Philippine embassy is working to have the rest of the Filipinos released from detention.
Acidre said that from what he has gathered, Roque “was among those who egged the hapless OFWs to hold a rally.” “Wala namang silbi ang appeal, appeal niya sa Qatari authorities (His appeal to Qatari authorities has no bearing),” he said.
“Unang-una, wala siyang legal personality to make the appeal. Pangalawa, fugitive siya dahil sa contempt ng Kamara tapos may kaso pa siyang human trafficking dahil sa POGO. Ang pwede niya talagang maitulong ay legal aid sa mga naaresto sa Qatar (First of all, he has no legal personality to make the appeal. Secondly, he is a fugitive because of the contempt citation by Congress and he has a human trafficking case because of POGO. The only thing he could do to help those arrested in Qatar us legal aid),” he said.
Acidere said the Philippine government, through the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), “has consistently provided substantial assistance to distressed OFWs abroad.”
“The government has been actively assisting our OFWs through legal representation and consular support. It would be beneficial if Atty. Roque collaborates with these agencies rather than making separate diplomatic appeals that may not align with official government actions,” he said. “Malaking bagay kung gagamitin ni Atty. Roque ang kanyang talento para makalikom ng pondo upang suportahan ang OFWs na nangangailangan ng agarang tulong (It would help a lot if Atty. Roque will use his talents to raise funds to support OFWs needing immediate help).”
“This is not about politics; this is about helping our fellow Filipinos who are in dire need abroad. We should pool our resources and expertise together instead of acting individually,” Acidre added. – With Wendell Vigilia
