Filipinos in Kuwait cautioned vs. unauthorized public gathering

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. (Photo: phinkuwait/Instagram)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Filipinos in Kuwait were told to follow local laws and were reminded that unauthorized public gathering is prohibited in the Gulf state.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait issued the advisory on Thursday days after more than a dozen Filipinos were arrested in Qatar for joining a rally that Qatari authorities deemed as an unauthorized political demonstration.

“The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait calls on members of the Filipino community to respect and comply with all laws and regulations of Kuwait, including the prohibition of unauthorized gatherings,” it said in Filipino.

“This reminder is for the safety and well-being of our community here in Kuwait, and to avoid any legal complication that may arise from non-compliance with local laws and regulations in Kuwait,” it added.

At least 17 were detained in Qatar for their involvement in what appears to be a rally in support of former president Rodrigo Duterte on March 28.

On Thursday, the Department of Migrant Workers confirmed that Qatar has finally agreed on the provisional release of the 17. However, they remain under investigation and are prohibited from leaving Qatar until the case is resolved.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega reiterated that the Philippine government had no hand in the detention of the 17 and that the Philippine embassies would never inform on Filipinos.