Lacson Expresses Gratitude for Release of 24 Filipinos from Russian Jail
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed his gratitude for the successful return of 24 Filipinos who had been detained in Russia for nine months. According to Lacson, this was one of the most significant outcomes of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to Russia, where he personally raised the plight of the Filipinos with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lacson Calls Release a Major Victory
In a statement, Lacson said the release of the 24 Filipinos is a major victory that has not received enough public attention. He noted that if their situation had not been addressed, the Filipinos could have remained imprisoned in eastern Siberia for much longer.
Repatriation Details and Coordination
The 24 Filipinos arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in two separate batches from Bangkok, Thailand. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the repatriation was carried out in coordination with Russian authorities, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
President Marcos Confirms Putin’s Approval
On Thursday, President Marcos confirmed that Putin allowed the release of the Filipinos, who had been working as cleaners in Russia. Earlier reports indicated that they were jailed due to immigration issues after allegedly falling victim to illegal recruiters.
