Pinayagan na ng Qatari government na pansamantalang makalaya ang 17 Pilipinong inaresto sa Qatar, makaraang magsagawa ng demonstrasyon bilang pagdiriwang ng kaarawan ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong March 28, 2025.
Sa press briefing sa Malacañang, sinabi ni DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, na ang provisionary release ay habang gumugulong pa ng imbestigasyon sa mga ito.
“Based on the President’s directive to secure the immediate release of the 17 who are still detained, the Qatari authorities in two separate batches – the males at around 2:30 A.M. Qatari time and the females around 4 A.M. Qatari time were provisionally released pending investigation.” —Sec. Cacdac
Ibig sabihin, pinayagan ang mga ito na makapagpahinga muna kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya sa Qatar, ngunit hindi maaaring bumalik ng Pilipinas ang mga ito.
“So, 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—yes, able to spend time for themselves and their loved ones. But at the same time, since they are still subject to investigation, patuloy iyong pinag-utos ng ating Pangulo na legal assistance, legal counsel who will provide the necessary legal assistance to the 17 who are still under investigation.” -Sec. Cacdac
Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang reklamo ang naisasampa sa mga ito.
Pagsisiguro naman ng kalihim, handa ang pamahalaan na idepensa ang 17 Pilipino. Sinusuri at titiyakin aniya ng gobyerno ang kalagayan, medical condition, seguridad, at kapakanan ng mga ito, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinad Marcos Jr.
“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. We’re very, very thankful to the Qatari authorities, to the Qatari government for allowing the provisional release of the 17 as the investigation proceed and as directed by the President as legal assistance and welfare assistance will continually be provided to the 17.” -Sec. Cacdac
Kaugnay nito, nakiusap ang kalihim sa mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa, na sumunod sa mga umiiral na patakaran o batas ng mga bansa kung saan sila nananatili, upang makaiwas sa kapareho o mas malalang kahinatnan ng kanilang mga isasagawang pagkilos.
“Maaaring sa Qatar aresto ang kinahinatnan but remember, hindi kailangang may pag-aresto para hindi sumunod sa batas ng host country because in some countries, ang reaction ng host country is monitoring, surveillance ng activities ng Filipino community. So, kailangan talagang mag-ingat, dobleng ingat, tripling ingat dahil kailangang sundin ang batas ng host country.” —Sec. Cacdac | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
