President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Friday that 24 Filipino who had been detained in Russia for nine months have been ordered released and are now set to return home.

In a social media post, Marcos said the development came after Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the release of the Filipinos, who were previously held in the Siberian city of Irkutsk over immigration-related issues.

“After nine months in detention, 24 Filipinos in Russia will finally be on their way home to be reunited with their families,” Marcos said.

He added, “I thank President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation for their assistance and cooperation in bringing this matter to a positive resolution.”

According to Marcos, the Russian leader assured him during their discussions in Kazan that efforts would be made to address the situation. “He said, ‘Don’t worry, we will find a way. We will find a way to fix this problem,’” Marcos recalled.

The President confirmed that the 24 Filipinos are now scheduled for deportation and repatriation, with arrangements already being finalized.

“I remember the last thing he said last night after we were talking about it. He said, ‘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,“ Marcos said.

“They are ready for deportation tomorrow by 5 p.m. So, those 24 will be going home, back to the Philippines and back to their families,” he said.

Marcos made the announcement following his participation in the Russia-ASEAN Summit, where he met with Putin and other leaders to discuss expanding bilateral trade, energy security, and agricultural supply cooperation.