AUTHENTICATIONPHL Embassy in Russia Holds Dialogue With Victims of Visa Agent
From left: Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Vice-Consul Jeff A. Valdez, and Mr. Christian Baggas, the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Officer (Photo courtesy of C. Bondad).
05 June 2017 MOSCOW — Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta and Vice-Consul Jeffrey A. Valdez met and held a dialogue with around 100 Filipino victims of a Russian visa agent on May 28 at the Philippine Embassy to discuss the options available to them under Philippine and Russian laws.
The Filipinos paid the visa agent to renew their visas. Instead of returning their passports with visas, the Russian visa agent had gone into hiding and did not return the fees paid by the Filipinos. Russian authorities had raided the office of the visa agent and has since been detaining a number of Filipinos (please see related story at http://moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph/2014-04-15-07-22-17/embassy-news/366-14-detained-filipinos-in-russia-released).
The Philippine Embassy was able to recover some of the passports and has formally requested for the turnover of any passports in the possession of Russian authorities.
The Philippine Embassy emphasized that those who do not have valid visas but intend to stay to work in Russia must follow Philippine and Russian laws. Others requested the Embassy’s help to bring them home.
“For those who want to stay and have lost their passports, we are willing to accept applications for lost passports. But we strongly advise that they follow the law in applying for their work visas and be truthful as to the nature of their work and the identity of their true employer,” Ambassador Sorreta said.
“For those who feel that their stay in Russia is no longer tenable because they are out of status or about to be out of status and wish to return to the Philippines, the Embassy will process requests for repatriation assistance. For those who are not in possession of their passports, the Embassy will issue a travel document and assist in obtaining the necessary exit permits from the Russian government,” the Ambassador explained.
The Embassy will be issuing advisories that will answer many of the questions in the minds of Filipinos in Russia and reassured those present that the Philippine Embassy is working with the concerned authorities to ensure that their rights, safety and welfare are protected.
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END
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