Twenty Filipinos in Russia returned to the Philippines in June after they could not obtain proper visa, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow reported.
The Embassy assisted the Filipinos in obtaining from the Russian immigration authorities expulsion orders that served as their exit visas.
Through the timely repatriation, the Filipinos avoided being penalized for illegally staying in Russia.
The Embassy also temporarily sheltered the Filipinos while they were undergoing deportation proceedings.
The Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Shelter provided the Filipinos with food and supplies.
Of the 20 OFWs, two have been apprehended by authorities while the others decided to seek the Embassy’s assistance.
“We understand that no OFW wants to go home abruptly, especially through deportation. The fact that our nationals came to the Embassy for assistance in this regard means that they were really left with no choice,” PNA quoted Ambassador Carlos Sorreta as saying.
