Photo credit: DMW

Twenty-four Filipinos who spent nearly nine months in detention in Russia have finally returned home after diplomatic efforts by the Philippine government secured their release.

The repatriated Filipinos arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in two batches early Sunday. The first group, composed of six women, landed shortly after midnight and was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay, officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other government representatives.

A second batch of 18 Filipinos, including 16 women and two men, arrived at around 4:05 a.m. and was received by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and other officials.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the group had been detained in Russia for about nine months after encountering immigration-related problems. Reports indicated that they may have fallen victim to illegal recruiters and were held in Siberia while awaiting the resolution of their cases.

Their release came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally raised their situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting in Kazan on June 17. Government officials said the Russian leader immediately responded positively to the request, leading to the Filipinos' eventual release and deportation to the Philippines.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the case marked a rare and significant diplomatic breakthrough, noting that it was the first known instance of Filipinos being released from prolonged detention in Russia through direct intervention by both governments.

President Marcos earlier revealed that Putin had not been aware of the Filipinos' plight until it was brought to his attention during their meeting. The Russian leader reportedly promised to address the issue, paving the way for the return of the 24 Filipinos within days.

Upon arriving in Manila, the returnees received immediate assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, OWWA, and other government agencies. Support included temporary accommodation, transportation assistance, and other basic needs before they could finally reunite with their families.

The government is now looking into how the Filipinos ended up in Russia and whether illegal recruitment or human trafficking syndicates were involved in their deployment.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said authorities will gather statements from the returnees to determine if they were victims of illegal recruitment schemes. The investigation is expected to help identify individuals or groups responsible for sending them abroad under questionable circumstances.

The DMW and OWWA have also pledged to provide financial assistance, legal guidance when necessary, and long-term support programs such as livelihood opportunities, skills training, and employment assistance to help the repatriated Filipinos rebuild their lives.

Officials emphasized that government support would continue even after the workers' safe return, with efforts focused on helping them reintegrate into their families and communities and ensuring they have opportunities for a better future.

The case has also renewed calls for Filipinos seeking work overseas to verify job offers carefully and deal only with licensed recruiters, as authorities continue to crack down on illegal recruitment and human trafficking networks operating both in the Philippines and abroad.