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21 Filipinos who had been detained in Russia for nine months have returned to the Philippines.
Their release came as a result of talks between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit last week.
One of the returning Filipinos described the moment they learned they were going home.
"Noong nalaman namin na dumating si President Bongbong Marcos sa Kazan, sabi ko dun sa room namin, 'Lord, ihulog mo miracle ngayong nandito President namin sa Russia.' Kinaumagahan, nandiyan na yung balita na nagsabi, 'Pack all your things, you go home,' sabi ng security sa detention. So grabe ang saya namin, for joy, nag-iiyakan. Natugunan na po yung matagal pong panalangin na makauwi na kami."
("When we learned that President Bongbong Marcos had arrived in Kazan, I said to my roommates, 'Lord, drop a miracle now that our President is here in Russia.' The next morning, the news came with security at the detention facility telling us, 'Pack all your things, you go home.' We were overjoyed, crying tears of happiness. Our long-held prayer of finally coming home has been answered.")
The Filipinos detained in Irkutsk, Russia had not expected to be released so soon after nine months in detention. Their return followed the meeting between President Marcos and President Putin in Kazan, Russia on June 19, where the President personally raised the case of the detained Filipinos with his Russian counterpart.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro explained how the release came about.
"Kaya sila napalabas, bigla-bigla. Ito yung request ni Pangulong Marcos. Nandun siya sa Kazan, sa Russian Federation. Lahat sila babae, I think dalawa lang lalake."
("The reason they were suddenly released is that this was President Marcos' request. He was there in Kazan, in the Russian Federation. All of them are women, I think only two are men.")
Secretary Lazaro also remarked on the significance of the repatriation.
"I think this is testimonial of the kind of relations that we have started, probably developing, evolving."
The 21 Filipinos arrived in the country in two batches. The first group of six was welcomed by DFA Secretary Lazaro, while the remaining 18 were received by Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
Secretary Cacdac said President Marcos had directed the government to extend full assistance to the returning Filipinos, from their journey back to their home provinces to help with their livelihood.
"Ipinagutos rin ng Pangulo na bigyan ng pantawid tulong pinansyal. So merong binigay sa kanila. Direktiba: tulungan sila pangkalahatan. So merong empleyo, livelihood assistance na pwedeng ibigay sa kanila for the next few days, at yung TESDA training, kailangan magsanay sila."
("The President also directed that financial bridging assistance be given to them. There was something provided for them. The directive is to help them in every way. There is employment and livelihood assistance that can be given to them in the next few days, and TESDA training — they need to undergo skills training.")
The Filipinos had allegedly entered Russia through an îllégâl recruiter. After reviewing the case, Russian authorities confirmed that no charges had been filed against them and immediately arranged for their deportation.
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Date posted: June 22, 2026 1:31 PM