MANILA, Philippines — Russia did not ask for anything in return in its decision to repatriate 24 Filipinos detained for trafficking, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said it was all in good faith following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently.
“Nothing. In their bilateral meeting, the president just opened up about the 24 Filipinos detained in Russia,” Castro said in Filipino, and added that Putin was even “surprised” to know that there are Filipinos detained, without formal charges, in Irkutsk in southeastern Siberia.
“The response of Russia, of President Putin, was good because our people returned home immediately,” she added.
All former detainees have safely returned to the country last June 21. Their homecoming was facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs in coordination with Russian authorities, with assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“The repatriation of 24 Filipinos was just one of President Marcos Jr.'s successful engagements in another country,” Castro said.
Initial reports indicated that they may have fallen victims to illegal recruitment schemes and were taken into custody for possible immigration-related violations.
The DMW is now investigating the matter.
