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MANILA, Philippines?The Saudi Arabia Prosecutor?s Office has dropped the case against the 18 Filipinos arrested for a prohibited mixed male-female gathering last August 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.
Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Antonio Villamor said the decision came after Philippine embassy officials made representations in behalf of the arrested Filipinos.
?Under the instructions of Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, a member of the Philippine Bar, embassy legal officer Jerome Friaz, and interpreter Jamil Haris went to the Prosecutor?s Office and assured the prosecutors that there were no immoral acts that took place when the 18 Filipinos were taken into custody,? the DFA said in a press statement.
Embassy officers also reiterated to Saudi authorities that the Filipinos are members of a non-government organization recognized by the embassy and whose purpose is to extend assistance to other Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.
During their meeting, Saudi prosecutors requested the Philippine embassy officials to reiterate to Filipinos in Saudi Arabia that mixed gatherings are not allowed under Saudi laws. They added that a repeat of the same incident in the future will be dealt with strictly.
Local laws forbid the gathering of men and women in private and public places, unless they are married couples or with their families.
In alleged immorality cases, only the Saudi Prosecutor?s Office can order a release after the conduct of police investigation.
The group of Filipinos earlier arrested consists of 10 officers and members of the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East), the local chapter of Migrante, and eight FiIipina workers.
Three of the Filipinos who do not have working permits will be deported to the Philippines, while three others remain in custody while the status of their stay is being verified.
Prior to the decision by the Prosecutor?s Office, Ricardo Joson, Migrante?s Riyadh coordinator, and two others, have been released.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conjeos, Jr. lauded the Philippine embassy officials in Riyadh for their quick and effective action on behalf of the NGO members and the other Filipinos.
