Marcos: 24 detained Pinoys in Siberia over immigration woes to be freed on Putin's orders

Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorized the release of 24 Filipinos detained in the city of Irkutsk in Siberia for the past nine months, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

Marcos announced the development in a Kapihan press briefing with the Philippine media in Kazan, Russia after the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.

The Filipinos were reportedly detained over immigration issues after they were victimized by illegal recruiters.

Marcos said he brought the issue to Putin’s attention during their bilateral meeting earlier this week, who immediately acted on the issue and told him that the 24 Filipinos will be released and ready for deportation by Friday.

“Noong dinner kagabi, kinausap niya ako. Sabi niya, ‘Nakita na namin ang sitwaşyon. We found out where the 24 Filipinos are, we found out what the problem is with their case, with their situation.’ First of all, he said they have not been charged with any wrongdoing but they are still being kept in detention for nine months,” Marcos said.

(At the gala dinner last night, we talked. He said, ‘We have seen the situation. We found out where the 24 Filipinos are, we found out what the problem is with their case, with their situation.’ First of all, he said they have not been charged with any wrongdoing but they are still being kept in detention for nine months.)

“I remember the last thing he said last night after we were talking about it. ‘Don’t worry, we will find a way. We will find a way to fix this problem.’ And now the 24 Filipinos will be released. They are ready for deportation tomorrow by 5 p.m. So the 24 will be going back to the Philippines, back to their families,” he added.

President Bongbong Marcos brought to the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin the case of 24 Filipinos detained in Irkutsk, Russia. The Pinoys have not been charged but have been in detention for 9 months. | via @tinapperez pic.twitter.com/fVeUS9478d

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 18, 2026

Marcos said the Philippines had no news about the condition of the 24 detained Filipinos, except that they have not been charged with any offense.

“Noong nag-bilateral meeting kami ni President Putin, binanggit ko ito. At nagulat din siya. Ang sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko alam ‘yan. Pag-aaralan namin, titingnan namin ang nangyari,’” the President said.

(When we had a bilateral meeting with President Putin, I mentioned this. He was also surprised. He said, ‘I am unaware of that. We will study, we will look at what happened.’)

“As a request, especially speaking for the families, kung puwede naman, we can find a way that we get some information about them. Pangalawa, na makahanap naman tayo ng resolution. Siyempre, respetado natin ang batas ng Russia, respetado natin ang kanilang pamahalaan. Ngunit kung may paraan, sana magawan natin,” Marcos added.

(As a request, especially speaking for the families, if it’s possible, we can find a way that we get some information about them. Second, to find a resolution. Of course, we respect the laws of Russia and their government. But if there’s a way, we hope to do something about it.) — JMA, GMA News