PH Embassy in Moscow Provides Assistance to Overstaying Filipinos in Russia
The Philippine Embassy in Moscow’s Assitance-To-Nationals Team, led by Consul General Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. (far right) and together with Vice Consul Catherine Alpay (center left) brief the latest batch of voluntary deportees on 17 April 2019 on the procedures for exiting Russia and the perils and costs of subscribing to illegal recruiters and “visa agents.” (Catherine Alpay photo)
MOSCOW 28 May 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Russia continues to provide voluntary deportation and repatriation assistance to Filipinos whose visas have expired. On 23 May 2019, the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Section receives applicants almost daily and repatriations are conducted at least twice a month.
In the past several months, the Embassy has even received cases of Filipinos with tourist visas who were “promised” better prospects by illegal recruiters but then were shocked to discover upon arrival in Russia that it was too difficult to find an apartment, a safe and stable job, and a means to earn money to pay back the debts they incurred from paying “visa agents.”
Penniless and jobless, these Filipinos are literally stranded in Russia until someone can give them a helping hand.
“Many of our kababayans who come to us for help ask for our government’s financial support. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) though the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs in particular, has been instrumental in our voluntary deportation program and our assisted repatriations,” remarked Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta. “We hope that after repatriation, our Kababayans will be able to start anew and, should they decide to try their luck abroad again, choose to be legal and fully documented.”
The Embassy calls on all Filipinos to stop supporting and participating in illegal visa facilitation and recruitment activities, including inviting Filipinos to Russia to find jobs as domestic workers through informal, illegal channels.
Filipinos who are considering working abroad as household/domestic workers are strongly recommended to go through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). END
The story of one of the voluntary deportees, a 60-year old woman, was narrated to the Consul General. She risked going abroad using a commercial visa and ultimately gave her trust in vain to a “visa agent” in an effort to prolong her stay in Russia. She is looking forward to starting fresh in the Philippines after receiving the government’s repatriation assistance. (Cathrine Alpay photo)
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia