Qatari authorities allowed the provisional release of the 17 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were arrested last week for allegedly holding a political rally following the arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) custody in the Netherlands.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the 17 OFWs were released in two batches—the males at around 2:30 a.m, Qatari time, followed by the females almost two hours later.

“This means they have their liberty. Pending investigation, they are able to all go home, to their respective homes in Qatar, in Doha and able to spend time for themselves and their loved ones,” said Cacdac.

“But at the same time, since they are still subject to investigation, the directive of the President is to provide legal assistance, legal to the 17 who are still under investigation,” he added.

Both the DMW and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have been monitoring the situation of the OFWs since their arrest on March 28 when they allegedly held a political rally to celebrate the birthday of Duterte and protest the Marcos administration’s decision to turn him over to the ICC on March 11. 

Duterte is facing crimes against humanity before the ICC in relation to the drug war—both when he was still the mayor of Davao City and the early years of the anti-illegal; drugs campaign when he was elected as president. 

“We’re very, very thankful to the Qatari authorities, to the Qatari government for allowing the provisional release of the 17 as the investigation proceeds,” said Cacdac.

The provisional release, however, comes with a condition that the 17 OFWs could leave Qatar.

Setting aside politics 

While the arrested OFWs were reported to have been criticizing Marcos and amid calls by supporters of the President to abandon them, Cacdac said the instruction of the Chief Executive was to extend all the necessary assistance to them.

The assistance was from monitoring their health condition to providing legal assistance.

So far, Cacdac said no charges have been filed against the OFWs but he said the investigation is ongoing.

“In fact the President, when he gave us instructions to secure immediate release, was pointing out the matter on whether or not charges have indeed been filed. And so, our legal counsel in Qatar had put forward this point to the Qatari authorities,” said Cacdac.

He said there is also a need for government intervention into the matter since aside from it is mandated by the law to take care of the OFWs, some of them need to be released since they are parents to minors.

“The message this sends is care for our people, for our OFWs. That’s the first thing in the President’s mind,” said Cacdac.

Misinformation?

Following the arrest of the 17 OFWs, various posts immediately flooded the social media claiming that they were not arrested for political gathering.

But Cacdac would not answer the issue point by point, saying what is important right now is that the OFWs were already provisionally released and that the statements of the arrested OFWs will be used in the legal defense. 

“The opinion of one person is one thing, but what the Qatari authorities are investigating is another thing,” said Cacdac.

‘The alleged reason for the arrest was the matter of illegal assembly or gathering without a permit and gatherings that potentially disturb public security. So our defense will be ready as directed by the President,” he added.

‘Umayos kayo’

Cacdac then reminded the OFWs anew to respect the laws of their host country to avoid trouble.

The penalty for illegal assembly is six months up to three years imprisonment and a potential fine of 10,000 Qatari Riyals to 50,000 thousand Qatari Riyals.