A total of 220 Filipinos detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been granted pardon, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
The pardon, announced on UAE’s 53rd National Day on December 2, 2024, was described as a gesture of goodwill reflecting the strong ties between the Philippines and the UAE.
Diplomatic Efforts
Undersecretary Lazaro credited the pardon to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan last November.
“It is the direct result of President Marcos’ meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,” Lazaro said.
President Marcos also expressed gratitude to the UAE government for their compassionate act.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whom I also had the honor to meet, for this compassionate gesture,” Marcos said in a statement.
Repatriation Underway
The DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi are processing the necessary documentation to facilitate the immediate return of the pardoned Filipinos to the Philippines.
The detainees had been imprisoned for various offenses, though specific details about the cases were not disclosed.
This is not the first act of clemency by the UAE government. In June 2024, 143 Filipinos were pardoned during the celebration of Eid’l Adha.
Strengthened Bilateral Relations
The pardons reflect the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the UAE, with diplomatic efforts continuing to support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.