MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino minors have been released from police custody in Qatar, leaving 16 adults still detained after their arrest during a demonstration supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte, officials confirmed on Monday, March 31.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega announced the updates during a press conference, stating, “I said there were 19 detained, now there are 16. Three of them were minors and they were released. They’re teenagers, not young children. But their mother is still in custody.”
The arrests occurred on Friday, March 28, when twenty Filipinos were taken into custody for participating in what Qatari authorities labeled an unauthorized political demonstration. De Vega characterized the gathering—held to coincide with Duterte’s 80th birthday—as a “picnic gathering” organized by Filipinos expressing support for the former president, who is currently facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court.
Under Qatari Law No. 18 of 2004, public gatherings are heavily regulated, and unauthorized protests can lead to imprisonment of up to three years. As diplomatic efforts are underway to secure the release of those detained, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has provided information on the legal challenges faced by the arrested individuals.
Who Was Arrested?
Initial reports indicated that 20 Filipinos were arrested, with three minors released by Monday. Of the remaining 16 detainees, nine are men and seven are women. De Vega emphasized the nature of the gathering, saying, “They were just indicating their support for the former president. It was more like a picnic gathering, but there were T-shirts, placards… That’s the reason they were arrested.”
Current Situation for Detainees
The Philippine embassy in Doha has been proactive, interviewing female detainees on Sunday and male detainees on Monday. Qatari authorities are questioning the detainees regarding their intentions for the protest. “What’s being asked of them is if they have plans to disrupt Qatar,” De Vega reported, citing communication from Philippine Ambassador to Doha, Mardomel Celo Melicor.
The investigation may take time, particularly due to the recent conclusion of Ramadan.
No Bail System in Qatar
According to the Philippine Ambassador, there is no bail system in Qatar. De Vega explained, “Bail does not work there. They will finish the investigations and set the detained person free if warranted, or keep him or her in detention if charges are filed.”
He cautioned against applying local laws or constitutional protections from the Philippines to the situation, noting, “This is not a Western-influenced country.”
Philippine Government’s Response
The embassy is actively working toward the release of the detained Filipinos. De Vega stated, “What we want is for them to be freed and to return to work.” The embassy is coordinating with local authorities to provide consular assistance and is advocating for a resolution that involves a fine rather than formal charges.
Prohibition of Political Demonstrations
Qatar, like many Middle Eastern nations, prohibits political rallies, especially among foreign nationals. De Vega noted that around 80 percent of Qatar’s population consists of foreigners, leading the government to closely monitor their activities. He reassured that Filipino workers are well-regarded in Qatar.
A Cautionary Tale for Overseas Filipinos
De Vega’s comments serve as a reminder for overseas Filipinos to respect local laws and customs. He advised, “If you want to share your political beliefs… register in our embassy to vote in our absentee voting. That’s one way to express their feelings as Filipino citizens where there will be no arrests.”
The Philippine embassy has reiterated its advisory for Filipinos in Qatar to comply with local regulations regarding public demonstrations, emphasizing that the incident does not reflect any bias against the Philippines or Duterte.
“This is not to be taken as an indication that Qatar is biased for or against the Philippines or the former Philippine president,” De Vega concluded.
