Twenty-four Filipino workers detained for nine months in the Russian Federation have returned to the Philippines after their release was facilitated following an appeal by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The workers arrived in Manila on Saturday and were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and a delegation from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
According to the DFA, Marcos personally raised the workers’ situation during his bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on June 17.
The department said Russian authorities acted on the request and facilitated the workers’ release by June 19.
The Filipinos had been detained in Yakutsk, Russia, for nine months.
President Marcos expressed appreciation to Putin for responding positively to the request and thanked Russian authorities for their cooperation in resolving the case.
The DFA coordinated the workers’ repatriation with Russian officials, while the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided assistance throughout the repatriation process.
The workers’ return brought an end to months of uncertainty for them and their families, according to the DFA.
No further details on the circumstances of their detention were immediately provided by Philippine authorities.
