MANILA (June 21) – Twenty-four Filipinos who were detained in Russia for about nine months have safely returned to the Philippines early Sunday, following diplomatic efforts by Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Their release came after the President personally raised their case with Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting in Kazan.
The repatriates arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in two batches from Bangkok, with six arriving past midnight and 18 more early Sunday morning.
They were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the repatriation was coordinated with Russian authorities, with support from the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
The Filipinos had been held in the Russian city of Irkutsk without formal charges, reportedly linked to possible immigration violations and illegal recruitment schemes.
Government agencies assured that assistance and reintegration support will be provided as investigations into their recruitment and travel continue.
