Men sit at the Doha Corniche backdropped by high buildings in Doha on March 3, 2025, during Muslim the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Karim Jaafar, AFP/file 

(UPDATED) The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday reminded overseas Filipino workers in Qatar to refrain from holding unauthorized political demonstrations in the Gulf state.

This after 17 Filipinos were arrested and detained in Qatar for holding suspected unauthorized political protests.

DFA Usec. Eduardo Jose de Vega said in an interview on state-owned Radyo Pilipinas that 17 OFWs are being investigated over their political activities.

Several Filipinos arrested in Qatar for holding political demonstrations: PH embassy

 "Kung yung iba pa ay magrarally pa ngayon eh 'di yung 17 na iniimbestigahan ngayon baka mapikon ang mga Qatari sabihin na 'Ganoon pala, (eh di) ideport na namin kayo," said De Vega.

"Mga kababayan alam naming may karapatan kayo sa Pilipinas (magprotesta)...  iba iba po ang panig natin sa pulitika, pero pag nasa Qatar hindi pwede eh. Hindi ito USA na pwedeng sumali sa political rallies."

He said the DFA will provide legal assistance to the 17 detained Filipinos.

Duterte supporters in Manila march to prayer rally for his return to PH

Under Qatar's Law No. 18 of 2004, unauthorized protests and demonstrations are illegal, with public gatherings and protests requiring approval from the government. 

Penalties for holding illegal public demonstrations in Qatar range from deportation, imprisonment for up to 3 years, and a fine of up to 50,000 Riyals.

"It’s in connection with the former president’s birthday. And they are right now being investigated in detention. Various detention centers. Sine-separate ‘yung men from the women, ‘no? [...] It’s not because the Philippine government is saying, 'Don’t rally in favor of the president or against him' or what. I’m referring to a former president. It’s because ayaw ng Qatar," De Vega said. 

Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte staged rallies in various parts of the world on March 28. 

This was meant to mark Duterte's 80th birthday while protesting against his detention in the International Criminal Court (ICC)  detention facility in The Hague. 

De Vega added that the detained Filipinos have yet to meet with their lawyers because laws in Qatar dictate that a police investigation should come first.

"It doesn’t mean—I’ll be optimistic—it doesn’t mean that they’ll be convicted, jailed. Eventually, they may be released after a short stage in detention maybe. We’ll see about that. Ang problema po kung lagi natin gagawin ‘to, baka magiging mas istrikto ‘yung mga Qataris. Next time, mag-deport na sila ng nagra-rally," De Vega said.

The DFA official also urged Filipinos abroad to engage in overseas voting instead of rallies as an alternative political exercise.