Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for successfully securing the release and return of 24 Filipinos who spent nine months in a Russian detention facility, an achievement he believes went largely unnoticed by the public.
The breakthrough came after President Marcos personally discussed the workers’ plight with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit to Russia.
Putin subsequently authorized the release of the Filipinos, who had been working as cleaners. Initial reports suggested they were detained over immigration issues after falling victim to illegal recruitment schemes.
The repatriated workers returned to the Philippines over the weekend, arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in two separate groups from Bangkok, Thailand.
The complex repatriation process was managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in coordination with Russian officials, with additional support from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Expressing his gratitude online, Lacson highlighted the profound impact of the diplomatic rescue.
“24 souls, 24 families – most of all, 24 Filipinos who would still be languishing in an eastern Siberia jail, probably for the rest of their lives – one of the biggest achievements of the president’s visit to Russia that almost escaped public notice and appreciation. Thank you!” Lacson said on his social media account.