By Joey Aguilar
Staff Reporter
Twelve Filipinos serving different sentences have been pardoned by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the occasion of Ramadan, the Philippine embassy in Doha has announced.
Eleven men and one woman, who had already served a substantial portion of their sentences, received clemency from the Qatar government.
“I welcome the pardon given by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the 12 Filipinos,” Philippine ambassador Wilfredo Santos told Gulf Times. “I sincerely thank HH the Emir for his act of kindness in granting clemency to our countrymen.”
The envoy said they were now co-ordinating with the Search and Follow-up Department at the Ministry of Interior for the immediate repatriation of these Filipinos so as to allow them to be reunited with their families back home.
Santos noted that HH the Emir usually issues the pardon twice a year, during Ramadan and Qatar National Day in
December.
HH the Emir had earlier pardoned nine Filipinas on the occasion of last year’s Qatar National Day, celebrated every December 18.
Seven of the nine women were convicted of immorality and two others of theft. Each had been sentenced to one year in prison.
In 2013, HH the Emir had pardoned 18 Filipinos serving different sentences on the occasion of the holy month of
Ramadan.
Eight of those freed had been charged with immorality, three with theft, two each with selling liquor and breach of trust, and one each with possession of shabu (methamphetamine), fraud and unpaid loan.
Embassy officials regularly visit jailed convicts to check their condition.
On various occasions, envoys and leaders of Filipino organisations have repeatedly reminded their compatriots in Qatar to respect and follow the laws of the host country to avoid being penalised.
Ambassador Wilfredo Santos: u201cThe process to repatriate these Filipinos is under way.u201d
