5 Filipino pastors detained in Qatar

FIVE Filipino pastors were reported detained in Qatar for still uncertain reasons and without formal charges filed against them.

Six of the detained Filipinos are reportedly members of The Lord’s Hand Ministries of Valenzuela City that has satellite offices in several cities, including one in Doha, Qatar.

Among those detained for two months now are Rev. Joseph Apilado, the “congregational apostle and senior pastor” of the The Lord’s Hand.

Apilado went to Qatar last March 5 to visit the church in Doha, to hold training seminars and to celebrate the anniversary of the church.

According to witnesses, people who identified themselves as Doha officials barged into the villa where Apilado and other members of the church were staying.

The Filipinos were reportedly held incommunicado after their arrest.

The Foreign Affairs office and the Ministry of Interior of Qatar admitted only after a month that the Filipino nationals were under the custody of the State Security Bureau.

Report by Manila Standard Today