President Duterte on Sunday thanked King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain for granting royal pardon to 16 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including two who were pardoned on the Eid’l Fitr feast.

Malacañang said in a statement the 16 OFWs would return to the country “in due course.”

“This act of humanity by His Majesty King Hamad Bin lsa AI Khalifa provides renewed hope and an opportunity for our countrymen and women to build new lives,” the statement read.

Malacañang said the royal pardon was a testament to the abiding ties between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the “deep and strong relations” between Duterte and King Hamad.

Duterte also vowed to continue working to “further deepen bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual benefit” between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain. John Ezekiel J. Hirro and Melo M. Acuña