GOV’T ASSURES AID TO 17 PINOYS DETAINED IN QATAR

THE government assured continued assistance to 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar for participating in political rallies supporting former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is facing trial in The Hague, Netherlands, for charges of crimes against humanity.

“Obligasyon pa rin po ng ating pamahalaan, ng administrasyon, ang mga Pilipino anuman po ang kulay nila,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro responded to a query from the media if the government would ensure the safety and well-being of the detained Filipinos in Qatar.

She said the government will continue to assist Filipinos detained in Qatar following their arrest for holding mass actions supporting the former president.

“Wala po tayong sinisino. Wala po tayong discrimination patungkol po diyan. Basta po kapwa Pilipino ay tutulungan po iyan ng administrasyon,” she added.

Castro stressed that the government had taken immediate action upon learning of the arrests.

She said the government had instructed the labor attaché, also a lawyer, to assess the situation of the detained Filipinos.

“Maliban po diyan at kung ano pa po ang maaari nating ibigay na tulong, let’s say, mga care packages na sa abot na makakaya ng ating pamahalaan, ibibigay po natin sa ating kababayan sa nasabing bansa,” Castro added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that 17 Filipinos are in police custody, about one hour away from Doha, after they were arrested for participating in a rally supporting the former president.

Meanwhile, in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that no overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is left behind, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assures legal assistance to OFWs who were arrested in Qatar for their involvement in a recent political rally.

“With the arrest that happened due to political action in Qatar, we remind all our OFWs to be law-abiding, and observe the laws of the host country. At the same time, it’s our mandate to provide legal assistance to those who are arrested. No ifs, no buts,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.

The Secretary also reminded all OFWs in various parts of the world to respect and follow the laws, rules, and regulations, processes and protocols of their host country.

Cacdac explained that part of the mandate of the department is not to judge any of the OFWs based on their actions; thus, it is necessary to ensure that they will be protected.

Currently, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Qatar is already coordinating the legal assistance for the OFWs. They are now awaiting to meet face-to-face with the arrested individuals to identify and provide for their needs.

In the call for zero remittance, Cacdac said that he trusts the OFWs to make the right judgment and prioritize the well-being and future of their family in the Philippines.

OFWs, he insisted, have the ability to make proper judgment and will not follow any call that will put their family in a tight situation.

“To our OFWs, please be calm in making judgments that will affect the future of your loved ones. Here in the Philippines, our beloved President is trying hard to lead us to further development of our country and your families,” Cacdac added.