Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson expressed gratitude Sunday over the return of 24 Filipinos who were detained in Russia for nine months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally raised their case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lacson said the freedom granted to the 24 Filipinos – who returned in two batches on late Saturday and early Sunday – is one of the most significant achievements of the President’s recent visit to Russia.
“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 X.
In Filipino: Lacson, Nagpasalamat sa Pagbabalik ng 24 na Pilipinong Nakulong sa Russia
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!
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 21, 2026
The 24 repatriated Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in two batches from Bangkok, Thailand.
According to reports, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the repatriation was coordinated with Russian authorities, with assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
On Thursday, President Marcos said Putin authorized the release of the 24 Filipinos, who worked as cleaners in Russia.
Earlier reports indicated the Filipinos were detained over immigration issues, after being victimized by illegal recruiters.
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Lacson, Nagpasalamat sa Pagbabalik ng 24 na Pilipinong Nakulong sa Russia
Nagpahayag ng pasasalamat nitong Linggo si Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa pagbabalik ng 24 na Pilipinong nakulong sa Russia sa loob ng siyam na buwan matapos personal na idulog ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang kanilang kaso kay Pangulong Vladimir Putin ng Russia.
Ani Lacson, ang paglaya ng 24 na Pilipino, na nakauwi sa bansa sa dalawang magkahiwalay na batch noong Sabado ng gabi at Linggo ng madaling-araw, ay isa sa pinakamahalagang tagumpay ng kamakailang pagbisita ng Pangulo sa Russia.
“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!” ani Lacson sa X.
Dumating ang 24 na repatriated na Pilipino sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 sa dalawang batch mula sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Batay sa mga ulat, sinabi ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na isinagawa ang repatriation sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Russia, sa tulong ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Noong Huwebes, sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos na pinahintulutan ni Putin ang pagpapalaya sa 24 na Pilipino, na nagtatrabaho bilang mga tagalinis sa Russia.
Ayon sa mga naunang ulat, nakulong ang mga Pilipino dahil sa mga usaping may kaugnayan sa imigrasyon matapos mabiktima ng mga illegal recruiter.
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