The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has shut down claims that the Filipinos arrested in Qatar for allegedly joining a political demonstration could be released on bail amounting to P1 million.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, in a televised interview on Tuesday, April 1, made it clear that the circulating posts online are false.
“That’s fake news…Walang bail dito. Mangyayari dyan, either ipapalaya sila o kakasuhan at saka matagal detention,” he said in an interview on One News’ Storycon.
Earlier reports suggested that 17 Filipinos were arrested, but De Vega clarified that the actual number is 20, and one of them was already released following the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Doha.
Under Qatari law, any form of political rally is strictly prohibited. The DFA warns that violators could face up to three years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges the detained Filipinos might be facing.
The case has drawn strong reactions on social media, with Duterte supporters claiming that the individuals were not staging a protest but were allegedly picked up due to not having Qatar ID (QID) and for simply wearing Duterte-themed shirts at a public beach resort. However, the DFA and embassy maintain that local laws were violated, and investigations are ongoing.
