The Russian government released 24 Filipinos detained in Yakutsk without asking for anything in return, Malacañang said. President Marcos had requested their freedom during a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the release of the 24 Filipino workers following a request from President Marcos during their meeting in Kazan last week. The workers had been held in Yakutsk in eastern Siberia for nearly nine months without charges.
The Filipinos arrived back in the country on Sunday. Malacañang stated that the Russian side sought no concessions in exchange for the release.
Initial reports from Philippine authorities linked the detention to alleged immigration violations, though further details remain under verification. Marcos attended the meeting alongside other Southeast Asian leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Russia Commemorative Summit.