Emir pardons 25 OFWs in Qatar

Twenty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) detained in Qatar for various offenses were granted clemency by the Emir on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced yesterday.

"The most kind gesture of

His Highness the Emir is a testament to our strong people-to-people linkages and the triumph of the human spirit. We are truly grateful,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

Bello flew to Qatar to convey the gratitude of President Duterte to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar for his "act of compassion."

Of the 25 OFWs, 18 are men while seven are women detained for months for estafa, adultery, theft, illegal drugs and physical assault.

Bello said the pardoned workers will soon be repatriated and receive assistance from the government.

While in Qatar, Bello graced a gathering of more than 4,000 Filipino migrant workers in Doha in observance of Philippine Independence Day organized by the Philippine embassy in the oil-rich country.

The event, which coincided with the celebration of Ed’lFitr, was also attended by the Qatar minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, Dr. Essa Bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi and other Qatari officials.

“I also join our migrant workers in expressing our sincere gratitude for the generosity of His Excellency Minister Nuaimi in co-hosting the gathering,” Bello said.

There are about 240,000 Filipinos in Qatar.