Palace: Gov’t won’t abandon jailed pro-Duterte OFWs in Qatar

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

In a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Philippine Embassy in Doha has immediately responded to the situation as soon as news of the incident broke. (PNA file photo by Darryl John Eguerra)

MANILA – The government has vowed to continue providing assistance to 17 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) detained in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized rally supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Philippine Embassy in Doha has immediately responded to the situation as soon as news of the incident broke.

“Ang ating embahada ay tumulong kaagad. Nagpadala po ng Labor Attaché, isa rin pong lawyer, para ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatan (Our embassy immediately helped.

It has deployed its Labor Attaché, a lawyer, to ensure and protect their rights),” Castro said.

“Maliban po diyan, kung ano pa po ang maari natin ibigay na tulong, mga care packages, sa abot kaya ng ating pamahalaan ibibigay po natin yan sa ating mga kababayan sa nasabing bansa (Aside from that, we will provide whatever support is necessary, like care packages. We will provide support to our countrymen there).”

The Palace official assured the public that the Philippine government remains committed to assisting all Filipinos, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.

“Obligasyon pa rin po ng ating pamahalaan, ng ating administrasyon ang mga Pilipino, ano man po ang kulay nila (The government is responsible to all Filipinos, regardless of their political colors),” Castro said.

“Wala po tayong sini-sino, wala tayong discrimination patungkol diyan.

Basta kapwa Pilipino, tutulungan po ‘yan ng administrasyon (We don’t choose who we help, we don’t discriminate. Our government will help them).”

The 17 Filipinos were detained at a police station about an hour away from Doha after joining a rally to show support for Duterte, who is currently detained at an International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, Netherlands, over allegations of human rights violations related to his war on drugs.

As for continuing demonstrations in support of Duterte, Castro said Filipinos have the right to express their views.

“Karapatan po nila ‘yon. Hindi po natin pipigilan (It’s their right. We will not stop them),” she said.