Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the release of 24 Filipinos who have been held in the Siberian city of Irkutsk for nine months over immigration violations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday, June 18.
Speaking to the press before concluding his official trip, Marcos Jr. shared that he personally raised the plight of the detained citizens during his bilateral discussions with Putin.
The Russian leader was reportedly unaware of the situation initially.
”Nagulat din siya. Sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko alam ‘yan. Pag-aaralan namin. Titingnan namin ang nangyayari,'” the President said.
The President noted that Putin later approached him with an update during a dinner gathered for ASEAN leaders.
”Sabi niya, ‘We found out where the 24 Filipinos are. We found out what the problem was with their case—with their situation. First of all, they have not been charged with any wrongdoing. But they have still been kept in detention for nine months,'” Marcos said.
Marcos Jr. explained that he had appealed to Putin on behalf of the detainees’ anxious families, asking for transparency regarding their status while emphasizing full respect for Russia’s domestic legal processes.
”So, I said, ‘As the request, especially speaking for the families. Kung pwede naman, we can find a way that they be… that we get some information about them,'” he said.
The appeal was met with an assurance from the Russian president that the problem would be dealt with swiftly.
”I remember the last thing he said last night after we were talking about it, he said, ‘Don’t worry, we will find a way to fix this problem,'” Marcos said.
The diplomatic push yielded an immediate breakthrough, securing freedom and a clear timeline for the repatriation of the affected citizens.
”And now, the 24 Filipinos will be released. They are ready for deportation tomorrow by 5 p.m. So those 24 will be going home, back to the Philippines and back to their families,” he added.
According to initial reports, the 24 individuals fell prey to illegal recruiters who smuggled them into Russia under fraudulent terms, which ultimately triggered their long-term administrative detention.
Marcos Jr. made the announcement on the concluding day of his visit to Russia for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.
Beyond the repatriation breakthrough, his bilateral talks with Putin focused on strategic cooperation regarding food security, energy, trade, and regional investments.