UAE grants pardon to at least 68 Filipino detainees before Eid al-Adha

The United Arab Emirates government granted pardons to at least 68 Filipino detainees on humanitarian grounds ahead of Eid al-Adha, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude during his fourth State of the Nation Address and a statement on Tuesday for the UAE’s clemency towards Filipino prisoners.

This act underscores the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and the UAE, providing relief to affected families.

The Philippines relies heavily on its migrant workers, with over 10 million Filipinos employed abroad contributing significantly to the country's foreign exchange through remittances of at least $3 billion annually.

In March, the UAE granted clemency to about 115 detained Filipinos ahead of Ramadan and pardoned a total of 363 Filipinos last year.

The DFA highlighted that this humanitarian gesture is a testament to the robust bilateral relations between the two countries and a lasting gift for the families of the pardoned individuals.