ON March 28, 2025, 17 Filipino nationals were arrested in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized political demonstration.
The rally, held approximately an hour from the capital city of Doha, violated Qatari law, which strictly prohibits political gatherings.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the arrests, with Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stating that the individuals remain in police custody. Mr. de Vega’s comments were made during an interview on Dobol B TV.
The demonstration appeared to be in support of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, whose 80th birthday coincided with the event. This suggests a possible link between the rally and expressions of support for the former president.
The Philippine Embassy in Doha is actively providing assistance to the detained Filipinos. However, Undersecretary de Vega noted the complexities of navigating Qatar’s legal system, where investigations often precede engagement with foreign diplomatic missions.
Despite this, he expressed confidence that if the charges against the Filipinos are deemed minor, they will likely be released within a few days. The Embassy has reiterated its advice to all Filipinos residing abroad to adhere to local laws and regulations regarding public demonstrations.
Former President Duterte is currently incarcerated in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. These charges stem from allegations of extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
metrosundaily
