Twenty-four Filipinos detained in Russia will be released and repatriated to the Philippines after nine months in custody, President Bongbong Marcos announced during his visit to Kazan for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.
Marcos disclosed the development in a social media post on Friday, saying the Filipinos would soon be returning home.
“After nine months in detention, 24 Filipinos in Russia will finally be on their way home to be reunited with their families,” Marcos said.
The President thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government for their role in resolving the matter.
“I thank President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation for their assistance and cooperation in bringing this matter to a positive resolution,” he added.
During his visit, Marcos held a bilateral meeting with Putin, where the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in food security and energy resources. Marcos also invited Putin to attend the 21st East Asia Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Manila in November.
Putin said there is “good potential” for cooperation between the Philippines and Russia in the fields of agriculture and energy.
Marcos announced the repatriation at the conclusion of his two-day working visit to Russia. The 24 Filipinos are expected to return to the Philippines after spending nine months in detention.
No further details regarding the circumstances of their detention or the schedule of their return were immediately disclosed.
