10 Filipinos granted clemency in Qatar

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said the government of Qatar granted clemency to 10 imprisoned overseas Filipinos on the occasion of the Qatar National Day celebrated every December 18.

Citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Doha, DFA said the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended the clemency to nine Filipino males and one Filipino female.

DFA said those granted clemency are usually those who have already served a substantial portion of their sentences.

It added that the Philippine embassy in Qatar is now in the process of facilitating the repatriation of the Filipinos in coordination with the country's Search and Follow-Up Department under the Ministry of Interior.

The emir usually issues pardons twice a year, the other during the holy month of Ramadan, the state agency said.