Passengers form long queues to the immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday morning. Some passengers missed their flights as the whole check-in process took hours due to the shortage of manpower from the Bureau of Immigration. (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The charges against the Qatari national who attempted to jump off the ledge of the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Thursday have been dismissed after the Qatar Embassy insisted diplomatic immunity.
Saud Salman Al-Thani who, according to his passport, is a sheik and a member of the ruling family of Qatar, immediately departed the Philippines after the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges of alarm and scandal and resisting arrest against him.
This, after the Qatar embassy presented a certification, confirming that Al-Thani is a member of the ruling family of Qatar and therefore enjoys diplomatic immunity and is exempted from criminal charges in the Philippines.
Qatar embassy Charge d’Affaires Abdullah Ali Al-Kubaisi presented the certification during the inquest proceedings for the commotion caused by Al-Thani when he tried to commit suicide twice at the departure area of the NAIA Terminal 1.
Senior Superintendent Adolfo Samala Jr. of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) released Al-Thani to the custody of Embassy officials after the charges against him were dropped.
Al-Thani was immediately flown out of the Philippines on board a Qatar Airlines flight.(MNS)