Number of repatriated Filipinos from Russia rises: DFA

FILE: Returning OFW Dolores De Guzman high-fives Philippine Embassy officer Christian Baggas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as her son looks on. (Photo: PE Moscow)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday revealed that at least 60 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were saved from possible arrest after they were repatriated by the Philippine Embassy in Moscow from January to June this year.

The number represents a 33 percent increase compared to figures from the first half of 2017, the agency said.

OFWs whose visas have expired are unable to exit Russia, compelling them to seek embassy assistance, including inter-facing with Russian police, Russian courts and immigration.

According to the embassy, foreigners in Russia without proper documents such as valid visa, work permit, and registration are vulnerable to arrest and detention prior to deportation.

Filipinos availing themselves of the embassy’s assistance in voluntary repatriation allows them to avoid jail time.

“We developed this program of voluntary repatriation precisely for our undocumented nationals to be able to exit Russia in an orderly manner and to ensure that their rights and well-being are protected throughout the process,” Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos Sorreta said in a statement.

“It is difficult for most of our citizens to undergo this process on their own due to the language barrier and the fear of spending time in jail,” he added.

Catherine Alpay, third secretary and vice consul of the embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals section, said there are still a number of Filipinos seeking repatriation assistance from the government.

“Marami po tayong mga kababayan na gustong umuwi sa atin at magkaroon ng panibagong simula sa buhay ngunit hindi nila ito magawa dahil sila ay nagkamali at nagkaroon ng immigration violation (We have a number of fellow Filipinos here in Russia who wanted to come home and start anew but they can’t do it since some of them committed immigration violation),” she said.

“The voluntary repatriation program allows them to go home to be with their loved ones and plan their next steps,” she said.

Aside from those with immigration violations, among the recipients of the embassy’s assistance are Filipinos with urgent medical conditions. The service is purely voluntary and is free of charge, the DFA said.

Sorreta said the conclusion of a bilateral labor agreement that will govern the deployment of OFWs to Russia continues to be the focus of the embassy’s OFW-related efforts.

“We are working closely with our Russian counterparts on this and the proposed agreement was one of the topics discussed during the meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow last month,” he said.