Sixteen Filipinos detained in Bahrain have been granted royal pardon and will soon return to the country, a Palace official announced Sunday (May 31).
President Duterte has expressed his gratitude to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain for his “act of humanity” towards the Filipinos.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extends his deepest gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa for granting Royal Pardon to 16 Filipinos in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including two who were pardoned on the occasion of Eid’l Fitr,” read a statement from the office of Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje.
“His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa’s forgiveness paves the way for the release of these 16 Filipinos and their return to the Philippines in due course,” it said.
The Palace said the King’s gesture will provide these Filipinos “renewed hope and an opportunity” to rebuild their lives.
The President, meantime, highlighted the county’s strong relations with Bahrain and affirmed his commitment to further deepen such ties.
“For President Duterte, the Royal Pardon is testament anew to the abiding ties between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the deep and strong relations with His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa,” the statement read.
“President Duterte values his friendship with His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and vows to continue working closely to further deepen bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual benefit between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” it added.
Back in March, the King of Bahrain issued a decree pardoning 901 prisoners for humanitarian reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic. Another 585 inmates will reportedly be allowed to serve their sentences in rehabilitation and training.
Two weeks ago, the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain announced that it facilitated the repatriation of several Filipinos, including those who lost their jobs as well as those granted pardon by the King.
In a statement, the embassy arranged the travel documents of seven male detainees, including four recently pardoned by the King, and one female detainee for their repatriation last May 16. They arrived in Manila last May 17.
The embassy has so far brought home 218 Filipino nationals amid the coronavirus pandemic.
SOURCE: MANILA