President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday shared a positive development on his official Facebook page regarding the 17 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were previously detained in Qatar for alleged involvement in an illegal assembly.
In the post, Marcos announced that the Qatari government has decided not to pursue charges against the OFWs, allowing them to return to their jobs without facing penalties.
“Masaya akong ibalita na hindi na kakasuhan ng Qatar ang 17 nating kababayang na-detain doon kamakailan dahil sa illegal assembly. Wala na silang magiging parusa at makakabalik na sila sa trabaho,” the president wrote.
Marcos also credited the resolution to his recent dialogue with H.E. Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Homidi, the Ambassador of Qatar to the Philippines.
“Nakuha natin ang magandang balitang ito matapos ang naging pag-uusap ko kay H.E. Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Homidi, Ambassador ng Qatar sa Pilipinas,” he added.
The OFWs were previously apprehended in Qatar in late March for reportedly participating in a political gathering that local authorities deemed unauthorized. While the specifics of the assembly were not disclosed in the post, multiple sources earlier indicated it may have been linked to expressions of political support for a former Philippine president.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Qatar have since reminded Filipinos working abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, especially on regulations regarding public gatherings and assemblies.
Malacañang lauded Qatar’s decision and extended gratitude to its government for the diplomatic cooperation that led to the release and clearing of charges.
