Seventeen Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were arrested in Qatar for holding a pro-Duterte rally have been temporarily released.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said the 17 OFWs—12 men and 5 women—were given a provisional release while waiting for the investigation.
The workers are being investigated for holding an illegal gathering without a permit.
If found guilty, they could face 6 months to 3 years in prison and a fine of 10,000 to 50,000 Qatari riyals.
“All of them are allowed to return to Doha. Since they are still under investigation, they will continue to receive legal help and support… They are not allowed to leave Qatar. But as they say, temporary freedom is still freedom,” Cacdac said.
Cacdac also shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DMW to provide legal and welfare assistance to the involved OFWs.
