By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The government has launched an investigation into possible illegal recruitment and human trafficking activities behind the deployment of 24 Filipino workers who were detained in Russia for more than nine months before being allowed to return home.
Officials said the case has raised concerns over how the workers entered and remained in Russia without proper employment and immigration documents.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said authorities are now tracing the individuals or groups responsible for sending the Filipinos abroad.
According to Cacdac, the workers lacked the necessary legal documents to work in Russia, resulting in immigration violations that eventually led to detention and deportation proceedings.
The DMW is coordinating with the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies to determine whether illegal recruiters or human traffickers facilitated their deployment.
“We will investigate the circumstances surrounding their recruitment and hold accountable those found responsible,” Cacdac said.
The 24 Filipinos—22 women and two men—arrived in Manila over the weekend after being released from detention in Yakutsk, the capital of Russia’s Sakha Republic in eastern Siberia.
Six workers arrived Saturday night, while the remaining 18 landed early Sunday after transiting through Krasnoyarsk and Bangkok.
Most of the repatriates had been working in the cleaning services sector before their arrest.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) credited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s direct intervention for the workers’ release.
The President personally raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on June 17.
Following the discussion, Russian authorities expedited the processing of the Filipinos’ release and repatriation.
Marcos earlier revealed that Putin expressed surprise upon learning of the workers’ situation and pledged to address the matter.
Russian authorities detained the Filipinos in September 2025 after discovering that they were working without complete immigration and employment requirements.
Investigators found that several had entered Russia using tourist visas and overstayed, while others arrived on work visas but failed to complete registration procedures, obtain permits, or formalize employment contracts.
The workers were cited for violations of Russian residency regulations and were placed in a detention facility for foreign nationals pending deportation.
Despite the violations, no criminal charges were filed against them.
The government has extended financial and logistical support to the returning workers as they begin rebuilding their lives.
The DMW provided temporary accommodations, transportation assistance, and financial aid upon their arrival.
Employment opportunities, livelihood assistance, and health services are also being arranged.
Officials noted that some of the repatriates face significant family challenges, including caring for relatives with serious illnesses and children with special needs.
The government urged aspiring overseas workers to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through official channels before accepting employment abroad.
Authorities stressed that the Russia case highlights the dangers of undocumented overseas work and the need for stricter vigilance against illegal recruitment schemes that place Filipino workers at risk.
ia/xf
