The government assured continued assistance to 17 Filipinos arrested in Qatar for participating in political rallies supporting former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is facing trial in The Hague, Netherlands, for charges of crimes against humanity.

“Obligasyon pa rin po ng ating pamahalaan, ng administrasyon, ang mga Pilipino anuman po ang kulay nila,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro responded to a query from the media if the government would ensure the safety and well-being of the detained Filipinos in Qatar.

She said the government will continue to assist Filipinos detained in Qatar following their arrest for holding mass actions supporting the former president.

“Wala po tayong sinisino. Wala po tayong discrimination patungkol po diyan. Basta po kapwa Pilipino ay tutulungan po iyan ng administrasyon,” she added.

Castro stressed that the government had taken immediate action upon learning of the arrests.

She said the government had instructed the labor attaché, also a lawyer, to assess the situation of the detained Filipinos.

“Maliban po diyan at kung ano pa po ang maaari nating ibigay na tulong, let’s say, mga care packages na sa abot na makakaya ng ating pamahalaan, ibibigay po natin sa ating kababayan sa nasabing bansa,” Castro added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that 17 Filipinos are in police custody, about one hour away from Doha, after they were arrested for participating in a rally supporting the former president. | PND