PH Embassy asks Filipinos ‘to obey Russia’s rules’

Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. Rebel mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin who sent his fighters to topple the military leaders in Moscow will leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him will be dropped as part of a deal to avoid “bloodshed,” the Kremlin said on June 24. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

The Philippine Embassy in Russia has advised some 10,000 Filipinos living in the country to avoid crowded places and unnecessary travel, amid the recent crisis involving Russia’s leadership and a paramilitary group.

The embassy headed by Ambassador Igor Bailen also urged Filipinos, most of whom live in the capital of Moscow, to obey Russia’s rules and to avoid posting “political comments on social media.”

The Philippine Embassy issued the advisory on Saturday after the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin took control of two cities south of Moscow and had begun an advance toward the capital.

The advisory began with a notice that Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee has opened a criminal case against Prigozhin for inciting an armed rebellion.

But the situation was suddenly defused by Saturday night after Prigozhin, who has a long-standing rivalry with two top officials in the Russian military, entered into a deal between Russia and Belarus for his safe exile there.

Nonworking day

Meanwhile, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin had declared Monday to be a nonworking day in the capital and enforced “counterterrorism measures,” including strict traffic control and a ban on public assemblies.

Security remained tight in the city, even after the Wagner group’s sudden U-turn on the M-4 highway leading to Moscow where the rebels were only some 200 kilometers away, according to their leader.

Muscovites watched government troops take up positions in the city while Red Square was blocked off by metal barriers.

“Remain vigilant about our personal situation. Monitor our advisories. Obey Russia’s rules,” the embassy’s advisory in Filipino said.

Filipinos in Moscow were also discouraged from traveling to other regions if unnecessary. Sobyanin had also issued a similar advisory to residents.

Filipinos living in Rostov-on-Don and other Russian cities bordering Ukraine were advised to inform the embassy about their situation.

Prigozhin’s siege began in the southern Russian city, but his forces pulled out by Saturday night.

—WITH A REPORT FROM REUTERS INQ