Malacañang thanked Emir Seikh al-Thani of Qatar for absolving 17 jailed Filipinos in time for the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan, said Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
Coloma said the clemency showed the long-lasting relationship between the Philippines and Qatar.
Meanwhile, earlier reports indicated that the Philippine Embassy in Doha said that they are preparing for the immediate repatriation of the 17 Filipinos.
In Qatar, granting clemency only covers those jailed offenders who have served a large portion of their sentence. These pardons are issued twice a year, during Ramadan and Qatari National Day in December.
Qatar announced the granting of clemency for the 17 Filipinos on June 7.
