25 OFWs granted royal pardon in Qatar
THE Emir of Qatar granted a royal pardon to 25 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been languishing in jail for various offenses during the month-long observance of Ramadan, the most holy month among Muslims around the world.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd disclosed on Friday that most of the pardoned workers were imprisoned for bouncing checks while a handful for drug and adultery cases.
Bello did not identify the pardoned Filipino workers but said that they have been in detention for months.
Bello said he has conveyed the gratitude of President Rodrigo Duterte to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al Thani for his act of compassion.
“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,” Bello said.
The pardoned workers will be repatriated and receive assistance from the government, he said.
Bello graced a gathering of more than 4,000 Filipino migrant workers in Doha last June 12 in observance of Philippine Independence Day organized by the Philippine embassy in the oil-rich country.
The event, which Minister Essa Bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi of the Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, and other Qatari officials attended, coincided with the celebration of Ed’l Fitr.
“I also join our migrant workers in expressing our sincere gratitude for the generosity of His Excellency Minister Nuaimi in co-hosting the gathering,” he said.
According to a latest study, the state of Qatar is among the top destination countries of OFWs in the Middle East, next to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Bello ordered all labor attaches assigned to various Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to conduct an inventory of jailed OFWs, particularly those awaiting executions so that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its attach agencies could come out with a better and speedy assistance program to distressed OFWs and their families.
Bello said he has also instructed the POLOs to provide the OFWs, both documented and undocumented, the necessary on-site assistance and services to help their dependents.
“Whether the OFW is regular, documented or irregular, undocumented, he or she will be provided with free legal services and in-country assistance, such as the preparation of supporting documentation.”
There are 27 Filipino workers who are facing death penalty in Saudi Arabia, reports said.
According to government records, at least 87 Filipinos are facing the death penalty abroad, mostly in Malaysia and China. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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