Qatar to release 12 Filipino prisoners as gesture of goodwill
The Philippine embassy in Doha is preparing for the repatriation of 12 Filipino prisoners who are set to be released by Qatar as a gesture of goodwill.
"In order to facilitate the early repatriation of the pardoned Filipinos, the embassy is coordinating with the Search and Follow-Up Department under the Ministry of Interior," the embassy said in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
According to the embassy, the pardon is part of an annual Ramadan tradition across the Gulf. The Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, usually issues this twice a year during Ramadan and the Qatari National Day in December.
The 12 Filipinos are composed of 11 are males and a female.
"Those granted clemency are often those who have already served a substantial portion of their sentences," the embassy said.
However, the embassy has yet to release the names of the 12 pardoned Filipinos. [ABC-CBN News]
Thank you very much for a very good gesture,,, long live Qatar!
Huzzah