24 Filipino workers detained in Yakutsk, Russia return home

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four Filipino workers who were detained for nine months in Yakutsk, Russia, have returned to the Philippines.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the repatriated workers arrived at the 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, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and other agencies.

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

Marcos' appeal

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

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally raised the case of the 24 detained Filipinos during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, according to the DFA.

Russian authorities afterward fast-tracked the workers' release within two days of Marcos' appeal.

"President Marcos expressed his appreciation to President Putin for his positive response and to the Russian authorities for their cooperation in resolving the matter," the DFA said.

The DMW also said the workers had appealed for help through Marcos during his bilateral meeting with Putin, after which Putin immediately directed that the Filipinos be assisted and repatriated.

Assistance for workers

The DMW, meanwhile, said the circumstances of the workers' detention remain under review.

While the details of their detention are still being verified, the DFA said initial information showed that the workers were held over alleged immigration violations.

Media reports earlier said the DMW, in coordination with the Department of Justice, would look into whether the repatriated Filipinos were victims of human trafficking, as they allegedly lacked proper documentation as workers in Russia.

DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said the government has prepared assistance packages for the repatriated workers, including reintegration assistance, livelihood support, employment facilitation and training.

"The goal is to provide them assistance and guidance for their return," Bay said in Filipino. — with report from Camille Diola