The 68 Filipinos detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were granted a humanitarian pardon in conjunction with the celebration of Eid al-Adha in June, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.
According to the DFA, this move is a generous action that demonstrates the strong relationship between the Philippines and the UAE. They called it a valuable gift for the families of the freed Filipinos.
The DFA added that this type of forgiveness is not only a symbol of goodness, but also of the two countries' cooperation in giving hope to Filipinos who have made mistakes.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other countries that granted clemency and showed concern for our countrymen.
The government continues to liaise with other countries to ensure the safety and rights of Filipinos abroad, especially those facing difficult situations.