Malacañang: Charges dropped for Filipino workers arrested in Qatar

The cases against 17 Filipino workers arrested in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized assembly have been dismissed, Malacañang announced on Monday.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed this development after meeting with Qatari Ambassador Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi, stating that the workers will not face punishment and can return to work.

Philippine officials secured provisional release for the workers following Marcos' directive to exhaust all remedies and assistance for Filipinos.

The group gathered in Qatar on March 28 to join other Duterte supporters in a prayer rally for Rodrigo Duterte's 80th birthday, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court.

Three minors among the arrested were freed earlier, while the remaining workers are now free to either return to work in Qatar or come back to the Philippines based on their preference.