By Carlo Luis Candelaria | PTV News
NAIA, Pasay City — It was an emotional homecoming for 24 Filipino workers who returned to the Philippines on Sunday after spending nearly nine months in detention in Russia due to immigration-related violations.
Their return came days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. raised their case with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan. Following the meeting, Russian authorities facilitated the workers’ release, allowing them to return home.
Upon their arrival, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) immediately extended assistance, including financial aid, temporary accommodation, and transportation back to their respective provinces.
According to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, President Marcos Jr. gave clear instructions: ensure that the returning workers can restart their lives through employment or small business opportunities in the Philippines.
“The President instructed us to carefully assess their livelihood, employment, or business prospects. The Office of the President itself is closely monitoring their situations to provide appropriate support,” Secretary Cacdac told PTV News.
Beyond immediate aid, the repatriated workers will also be referred to DMW and OWWA livelihood programs. Government officials said the objective is not only to help the workers resume normal life but also to secure stronger economic opportunities for their families.
First and Second Batches Arrive
The first batch of six workers arrived around midnight and was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro. The second batch arrived at around 4 a.m. and was received by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
According to Lazaro, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow had long been working on the case and had repeatedly sought the workers’ release through diplomatic channels.
“There was a bilateral meeting. President Marcos was very concerned, and President Putin responded right away. The difference was that when President Marcos requested, the very next day our compatriots were released,” Lazaro said in an interview aired on PTV News.
Meanwhile, Cacdac noted that the workers had been employed in Russia without proper documentation, leading to immigration cases. The DMW is now investigating possible illegal recruitment or human trafficking violations and is coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other concerned agencies.
“Yes, of course, this could involve elements of illegal recruitment either from here in our country, abroad, or through third-country hiring. We will examine this thoroughly and take statements from all of them,” Cacdac said.
He added that government assistance has already been extended through OWWA, including financial aid, accommodation, and transportation back to their provinces.
Cacdac also reiterated President Marcos’ directive to ensure that the workers receive support in finding jobs or starting small businesses upon their return.
“There is an instruction from the President that their livelihood, employment, or business opportunities must be carefully reviewed. The Office of the President is closely monitoring their situations to ensure they receive the necessary support,” he said.
Workers Express Gratitude
One of the returning workers expressed gratitude to President Marcos Jr. and the Philippine government upon arriving at NAIA Terminal 1 early Sunday morning.
“Sir Bongbong Marcos, thank you very much. Your visit to Russia was the answer to our prayers to finally return home to the Philippines,” the worker said in an interview with PTV News.
The worker was among the 24 Filipinos detained in Russia who were released following diplomatic efforts by the Philippine government.
For the returning workers, it was nothing short of a miracle to come home after nearly nine months in detention. Their joy was overwhelming when they learned of their release following President Marcos’ visit. “There is an instruction from the President that their livelihood, employment, or business opportunities must be carefully reviewed. The Office of the President is closely monitoring their situations to ensure they receive the necessary support,” Cacdac said. (Jose Rafael Atencio, PTV News)/av
