AFP says recruitment of Filipinos as mercenaries is a longstanding issue

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are willing to help Raymon Gumangan, who served as a mercenary in Russia and is now a “prisoner of war” in Ukraine. 

According to Chino Gaston’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the AFP said that there’s nothing new with the recruitment of Filipino soldiers to serve as mercenaries in other countries.

The AFP is helping retired soldiers transition to civilian life by providing training and livelihood programs so they will not be recruited to serve as mercenaries abroad. 

“Marami po tayong reminders sa mga tropa natin kasi 'yung iba kahit active nilu-lure towards that, so we heighten patriotism and nationalism. Nandoon na po yung zeal to service hindi na sila nasisilaw sa offer ng monetary gains,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla. 

(We have many reminders for our troops because some, even those in active service, are being lured toward that [mercenary work]. So as we heighten patriotism and nationalism, the zeal for service is there, and the offer of monetary gains no longer blinds them.) 

The AFP is willing to cooperate with the DFA regarding the issue involving Gumangan.

The AFP added that it is no secret that several former military personnel have been involved not only as mercenaries but also in private armed groups within the country.

An example of this is the three suspects in the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who were former members of the Philippine Army.

“We cannot just avoid kung meron man kaya minsan involved ex-soldiers some like mercenaries here in our country. So we are looking into furthering values program and all of these reminders,” said AFP public information office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad. 

(We cannot simply avoid it if there are instances, which is why sometimes ex-soldiers are involved, some acting like mercenaries even here in our country. So we are looking into furthering our values programs and all of these reminders.) 

Security expert Professor Renato De Castro said that many of the mercenaries being recruited by Russia are from poor countries like the Philippines.

“Hindi lang mga Pilipino, pati Indian, pati Kenyan mga African even mga Chinese. Of course, iba 'yung motibo ng ibang Tsino, gusto nilang magkaroon ng experience. Pero sa atin, 'yung mga kababayan natin, I think ang talagang ano 'dyan 'yung paghihirap, kahirapan ng buhay,” said De Castro. 

(It’s not just Filipinos, but also Indians, Kenyans, other Africans, and even some Chinese. Of course, the motives of some Chinese are different—they want to gain experience. But for us, for our fellow citizens, I think what’s really at play there is the struggle, the hardship of life.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News