Detained for 9 months in Russia, 24 Filipino workers finally return home

National

TWENTY-FOUR Filipinos detained in Russia for nearly nine months have returned home following negotiations between the Philippine and Russian governments.

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‎According to a report by The Philippine Star, the group arrived in two batches. The first batch consisted of six Filipinos, all women.. They were followed by a second batch of 18 returnees made up of 16 women and two men.

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‎The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the repatriated workers arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday, June 21. They were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, along with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other government agencies.

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‎The DMW described the group as the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers from Russia to arrive in the country.

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‎The workers had been held in Yakutsk, a city in eastern Siberia, without formal charges. Initial information from Philippine authorities indicated that their detention may have been linked to possible immigration issues, although this remains under verification.

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‎Authorities said the circumstances surrounding their detention are still under review. The DMW is coordinating with the Department of Justice to determine whether the workers may have been victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking.

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‎Officials added that the returnees are currently being interviewed to document their experiences and assess the assistance they may need as they reintegrate into their communities.

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‎Their release came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised their situation during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on June 17. Russian authorities reportedly fast-tracked the workers’ release within two days following the appeal.

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‎The DFA said it worked closely with Russian authorities to facilitate the repatriation, while the DMW and OWWA provided continuous support to the workers throughout the process.

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‎According to the DMW, assistance packages have been prepared for the returnees, including livelihood support, employment facilitation, training opportunities, and reintegration programs.

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‎DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said the government is committed to providing full assistance and guidance to help the workers rebuild their livelihoods after returning home.(Rojen Ann De la Cruz, PIT Com Intern)