DFA reminds OFWs to follow host country laws after arrests in Qatar

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

Doha, Qatar (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to respect the laws of their host countries following the recent arrest of 16 Filipinos in Qatar for allegedly participating in an unauthorized political demonstration.

In an interview on Monday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega emphasized the importance of following the local laws of host countries to avoid arrests, as well as the advisories issued by the Philippine government through the Philippine embassies and consulates.

“Payo lang sa mga kababayan, sumunod sa mga advisory ng embassy.

Huwag ikalat na embassy ang nagpakulong o embassy ang nagbabawal. Wala tayong kapangyarihan sa Qatar. Ang Qatar authorities ang may kapangyarihan doon. Sumusunod lang tayo sa mga rules and regulations doon na bawal ang political rally (Just a reminder, follow the embassy’s advisories. Don’t spread lies that the embassy was the one that had them detained or the embassy was the one prohibiting participation in political rallies. We have no power in Qatar. The Qatar authorities have the power there. We are just following the rules and regulations there that political rallies are prohibited),” he said.

De Vega said 19 Filipinos were originally arrested last Friday after joining a rally to voice their support for former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at an International Criminal Court facility in The Hague in The Netherlands over alleged human rights violations related to his campaign against illegal drugs.

Three of those arrested, however, were released because they were minors.

He said there are countries that allow political demonstrations like in Europe, however, other countries like the Middle East, Hong Kong, and Singapore prohibit them.

“Singapore nga, mag-distribute ka lang ng campaign paraphernalia, bawal daw (In Singapore, even the distribution of campaign paraphernalia is said to be prohibited). So, we have to be careful with that,” De Vega said.

De Vega expressed hope the arrested Filipinos would be released, but said in case cases are filed against them, they could be detained for up to three years, and deported.

He, however, assured the arrested OFWs that the Philippine government would provide legal counsel for them.

“Sa Middle East, iba yung patakaran dun wala kayo sa Pilipinas at alam namin may emotional issue ito, pero nandiyan kayo para magtrabaho at hindi mawala trabaho ninyo para sa sarili ninyo, para sa pamilya nyo (The rules are different in the Middle East. You are not in the Philippines. We know this is an emotional issue, but you are there to work and not lose your job, for the sake of your family),” he said.