DFA verifying reports of Filipinos recruited in foreign armed forces

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said it is verifying reports that Filipinos have been recruited in foreign armed forces.

In a statement, the department said that concerned Foreign Service Posts continue to verify the information and are coordinating with relevant authorities.

“The Department's priority is the safety and welfare of Filipinos,” it said in a statement.

“Where appropriate, the Philippine Government remains ready to provide consular assistance consistent with Philippine law, international practice, and applicable regulations of the host country,” it added,

The department reiterated its advise to Filipinos to be cautious when accepting overseas employment and to verify the legitimacy of job offers.

The DFA issued the statement amid a report that one Filipino was recruited in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and was killed while another is a prisoner of war.

In February, a video of Raymon Santos Gumangan was posted on the “I Want to Live” Facebook page, a Ukrainian government project, on December 8.

The Facebook post claimed that Gumangan was a mercenary recruited by Russians for a high-paying job in their country. Meanwhile, Gumangan said he was recruited for a logistics role, but was assigned a different job upon arriving in Russia.

Following this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is coordinating with other government agencies.

Meanwhile, the department reiterated its advise to Filipinos to be cautious when accepting overseas employment and to verify the legitimacy of job offers. — RSJ, GMA News