1 Pinoy released, 19 still under Qatar police custody after holding rally —DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday clarified that 20 Filipinos were arrested for holding a political demonstration in Qatar, and not 17 as previously reported.

“Ayon sa ambassador natin sa Doha, Qatar, actually 20. Tapos may isang na-release. Napayagan na makausap sila. Sinusubukan nating ma-release sila,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(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 added that if charges are filed against the arrested Filipinos, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar will give them legal assistance since they may be imprisoned for three years.

Several Filipinos were arrested in Qatar on Friday for ''suspected unauthorized political demonstrations,'' the Philippine Embassy in Qatar said.

De Vega earlier said the arrested Filipinos participated in a rally which may have been held to oppose the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who turned 80 while detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court for the extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs.

The embassy reiterated its advice to all Filipinos to respect local laws and customs regarding mass demonstrations and expressions of political grievances.

"Lahat ng klase ng political rally, bawal sa Qatar," de Vega said.

(All kinds of political rallies are not allowed in Qatar.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG, GMA Integrated News