The Philippine government is actively pursuing enhanced diplomatic and economic co-operation with the Russian Federation, focusing on boosting tourist arrivals and establishing formal protections for Filipino workers.
This initiative seeks to deepen bilateral engagement by streamlining travel requirements and addressing the needs of a growing overseas labour force.
Visa-free prospects, tourism growth
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed openness to discussing a bilateral visa-free travel agreement with Moscow following his participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan.
As reported by GMA News Online, the President stated he “cannot find any serious objections” to exploring such an arrangement down the road.
Highlighting mutual benefits, Marcos noted that similar arrangements had previously been implemented with India and China to drive bilateral trade and connectivity.
The Marcos administration plans to heavily back regional airport developments, enabling international travellers to bypass Manila and fly directly to their final destinations.
2.1 million Russian tourists visited Southeast Asia during the first three quarters of 2025, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen said, but most went to Indonesia and Thailand.
Efforts to expand direct flight routes are already underway to attract these non-traditional holidaymakers.
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Pushing for enhanced labour co-operation
Beyond tourism, the diplomatic engagement aims to formalise institutional protections for the estimated 15,000 Filipinos currently living and working across Russia.
Manila is using high-level bilateral discussions to advance a comprehensive labour agreement aimed at safeguarding migrant rights and ensuring fair working conditions.
The Filipino community is largely concentrated in major urban centres like Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.
Many are heavily relied upon by Russian households for domestic services and caregiving, while others work as professionals or are married to Russian citizens.
To better serve this growing demographic, Ambassador Bailen shared that the Philippine government hopes to eventually establish a dedicated Migrant Workers Office (MWO) directly in Moscow.
At present, labour and welfare services for Filipinos in Russia are overseen remotely by the MWO based in Berlin, Germany.
Pardoned citizens coming home
Marcos also announced that 24 Filipinos detained in Russia for nine months have been ordered released and are set to return home to the Philippines.
This breakthrough followed high-level discussions between Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, where the President raised the plight of the workers who were victims of illegal recruitment.
Putin expressed concern upon learning of their situation, leading to their clearance for repatriation, according to the Philippines News Agency.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the 24 repatriated citizens are scheduled to reach Manila on June 21, with transit arrangements finalised for their return in two separate groups via Bangkok.
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