A PROBATIONAL release has been granted to 17 Filipinos, who were detained in Qatar for holding an alleged unauthorized rally in support of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the group of 12 Filipino men and five women was released while their offenses are still being investigated.

“This means they have their liberty pending investigation, they can go to their respective homes in Doha, Qatar and are able to spend time with themselves and their loved ones,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a Philippine Star report.

Although no charges have been filed by Qatari authorities, the 17 Filipinos cannot leave Qatar until they are cleared of alleged illegal assembly, Cadac said.

The Philippine government has assured that it will continue to provide them with legal and welfare assistance.

It was over a week ago when 20 Filipinos including three minors were arrested and detained in Qatar for engaging in alleged unauthorized protest action.

The minors were later released.

Unauthorized protest carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and fines of up to 50,000 Qatari riyals.

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• #Qatar
• #Filipinos
• #Rodrigo Duterte
• #Department of Migrant Workers
• #DMW
• #Hans Cacdac