The Taste of Freedom

Layout by Czophia Cruz

Family matters more than anything, and being with them is an important part of our lives. Our actions are connected to them, and they will be affected by them. We can’t run away from family because they have been there since we were born, they always care, love, and value each other. Action can only be done with the words of someone higher than all of us. If not said, then justice would not be served.

Last Friday, June 17, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the 24 Filipinos who were detained in 2025 for illegal recruitment at Irkutsk, Russia, for nine months will be released and sent home. This was said after Marcos raised the concern of the Filipinos that they are in pain and that they are suffering in a recent bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Russia. 

Whilst speaking to the reporters in Russia before going back to Manila, Marcos stated that he brought up the situation in his meeting with Putin. Putin wasn’t aware of the situation at first, but when Marcos brought it up, he showed concern and was willing to look into it further. Marcos was thankful to him because the 24 Filipinos would be returned to their families. During the interview, he also stated that the 24 Filipinos are scheduled to be deported back to the Philippines today, June 20, at 5 pm, and will be returned to their families.

The approach of Marcos about this situation was commendable although it is just the bare minimum. It may be a few, but they all matter to our country. Small changes can really change our country. It also brings joy to our country when our leader does something good for our fellow people. More leaders should also contribute to our society rather than just hiding, fighting, and attacking each other. 

I wish that some people would think before doing something. It’s better to do stuff the hard way rather than the easier but illegal way. Whether you are a person with a high position or just a normal person, we should think more before doing and saying things.

I would prefer it if leaders were updated and aware of what is happening with society and their people, other than going into war, because when Marcos raised the concern, it seemed that Putin was not initially aware that there were 24 Filipinos detained in his country, but now, Putin stated he will get them sent home and free from detention. I hope that the families of the 24 Filipinos are happy now that their loved ones are returning home.

I hope nothing like this happens in the future, and that people will think before they do something. This was not a mistake; it was done on purpose, and I’m afraid that this could have been avoided if they had thought more about what they were doing. Knowing that they had families waiting for them to come home just makes it worse if you come to think about it.

I yearn that maybe, just maybe, leaders could be more aware of what’s going on in their country because they miss out on people working overseas. Not just OFWs but also other nationalities and people, they never know that someone might be waiting for them to return home safely.