Men sit at the Doha Corniche backdropped by high buildings, March 3, 2025. Karim Jaafar, AFP/File

MANILA (UPDATED) — The cases against 17 Filipinos who were arrested in Qatar for participating in a recent illegal assembly have been dismissed, Malacanang said Monday.

Qatari ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the development during their meeting earlier in the day, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

"Kanina nakipagpulong si Pangulong Marcos Jr. kay Qatari ambassador (Ahmed Saad) Al-Homidi. Sinabi ng Qatari ambassador na pinalaya na ang 17 na inaresto sa Qatar at dinismiss na rin ang mga kaso laban sa kanila," Castro said.

"Ayon kay Ambassador Al-Homidi, ito raw ay repleksyon ng maganda matatag na pagkakaibigan ng dalawang bansa."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the information in a separate statement, adding that he directly talked with the Qatari ambassador to resolve the problem.

“Masaya akong ibalita na hindi na kakasuhan ng Qatar ang 17 nating kababayang na-detain doon kamakailan dahil sa illegal assembly. Wala na silang magiging parusa at makakabalik na sila sa trabaho,” he said.

“Nakuha natin ang magandang balitang ito matapos ang naging pag-uusap ko kay H.E. Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al Homidi, Ambassador ng Qatar sa Pilipinas,” Marcos added.

Officials earlier said a total of 20 OFWs were arrested for participating in a non-violent but unauthorized rally at a beach some 70 kilometers outside Doha to protest the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Unauthorized public demonstrations are illegal under Qatar's law and gatherings and protests require approval from the government.

READ: Sara Duterte back in PH after dad Digong's detention in the Netherlands

Three of the arrested Filipinos were still minors and were the first to be released. The other members of the group were given provisional release last week.

Malacañang said the President directly coordinated with the Qatari government for the release and dismissal of the case of the pro-Duterte Filipino nationals.

"Nakikita natin kung gaano kabilis magtrabaho ang ating Pangulo. Ito ay taliwas sa bintang ng iba na walang nangyayari sa ating bansa. Ito ay tinututukan po ng ating Pangulo para mabigyan ng tulong ang 17 na kababayan natin sa Qatar, at ito nga po ang naging resulta na madismiss ang kaso at mapalaya na sila," said Castro.

"Dahil sa pag-uusap ng ating Pangulo sa gobyerno ng Qatar sa pamamagitan ni Qatari ambassador, napagbigyan tayo na ang mga kapwa Pilipino na nahuli ay makalaya at hindi na masampahan ng kaso."

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Filipinos who were arrested said they gathered to celebrate former president Duterte's birthday and not to protest his arrest.

"They went to a beach resort… They were told by the organizers not to bring paraphernalia but some did so that attracted attention," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said.

READ: Detained OFWs told Qatari authorities Duterte gathering was not a protest -- DFA

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