Manila, March 29 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Saturday that 17 Filipinos were arrested in Qatar for allegedly participating in an unauthorized political demonstration.

In a radio interview, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega said the Filipinos are currently detained at a police station, about an hour away from Doha.

They were apprehended on Friday.

De Vega said it appeared that the 17 joined a rally to voice their support for former president Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained at the International Criminal Court facility in The Hague, Netherlands over alleged human rights violations related to his campaign against illegal drugs.

"The embassy has already issued an advisory stating that all forms of poli...