12 December 2016 – Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. met members of the Filipino Community hours after landing in Moscow on December 05.

Secretary Yasay visited the Russian capital to meet with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He was joined by Secretary Delfin Lorenzana of the Department of National Defense who was in Moscow for separate meetings with Russian defense officials.

Secretary Yasay shared with the audience the President’s message of thanks and the importance of an independent foreign policy. He also listened to various concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers in Russia and discussed continuing efforts to extend appropriate assistance to nationals abroad.

He praised OFWs in Russia for their hard work and hailed them as the face of the Philippines in the country. The Philippines’ top diplomat encouraged the Filipino community to observe the rules of their host country including those pertaining to immigration. 

OFWs in attendance at the Embassy event expressed their support for President Rodrigo Duterte and their desire to meet him during his visit to Russia. END