On March 28, 2025, the Philippine government announced its commitment to aiding Filipino supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte who were detained in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized political rally. The arrest of 20 Filipinos occurred in Doha, Qatar, during a demonstration in support of Duterte, who is presently under International Criminal Court (ICC) custody.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the arrest and stated that Philippine authorities are coordinating with local officials in Qatar to ensure the detained individuals receive assistance. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Doha are the primary agencies involved in providing support.
Undersecretary Castro affirmed that the government is taking appropriate diplomatic steps to address the situation. She emphasized that the actions undertaken by the Filipinos were deemed unauthorized under Qatari law, leading to their arrest and detention.
The Philippine Embassy in Doha reported working closely with Qatari authorities to resolve the matter. The Embassy aims to provide legal assistance and ensure the detained Filipinos’ rights are protected during their detention and subsequent investigations.
Additionally, Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega noted that efforts are being made to secure the release of the detained individuals. He confirmed that one of the 20 Filipinos arrested had already been released, though specific details on the release have not been disclosed.
The arrest of Duterte supporters has drawn significant attention, stirring diplomatic channels between the Philippines and Qatar. The Philippine government continues to monitor the situation vigilantly and remains in contact with families of the detained individuals to provide updates on any developments.