MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of 19 Filipinos who participated in a Halloween party in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the Filipinos are being held at the Al Nisa Jail in the capital.
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto said Embassy officials have been requesting access to the detained Filipinos since their arrest was reported on Friday.
The 19 were among a number of persons taken into custody by Saudi intelligence operatives, who raided a compound in Riyadh, after neighbors complained of loud noise coming from the Halloween party.
The envoy noted that it was not immediately clear what charges have been filed against the detained Filipinos but initial information the Embassy had gathered indicate that the organizers of the event have been charged with holding an event without a permit and for disturbing the neighborhood.
Saudi laws strictly prohibit unattached males and females from being seen together in public.
The DFA and the Embassy issued an advisory urging overseas Filipino workers, particularly those in Middle East, to be mindful of local sensitivities.
Later in the day, Cato announced that authorities in Saudi Arabia have agreed to temporarily release to the custody of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh the 19 Filipinos.
He said the information was conveyed to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. by Alonto.
Quoting Alonto, Cato said Chief Prosecutor Khalid Al Hozaimi provided the names of the 19 women who are currently detained at the Al Nisa jail—not 17 as initially reported—and agreed to turn them over to the custody of the Embassy.
Alonto said this was made possible because of the strong representations made by the Embassy with Saudi authorities.
The envoy said authorities may file charges against the Filipinos for violating Shari’a law. (PNA)
