DFA verifying reports of Pinoy recruited by Russia, killed in Ukraine

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday it is verifying reports on a Filipino who died in Ukraine while fighting alongside Russian forces.

Reports identified the Filipino as a certain "John Patrick," who was reportedly recruited by Russia and received a week of training before being deployed to an assault mission near Novoselivka village in the Kramatorsk district.

He was reportedly left to die after being wounded, according to Euromaidan Press.

"Verifying. We will inform you if there is a comment from the DFA," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona told reporters.

At the time of death, the media report said the Filipino "carried only weapons, ammunition, and a small slip of paper."

"The paper contained his unit number, a phone number, and his commander's name. He reportedly didn't speak Russian," the report said, adding that data from the electronic device seized from the fighter allegedly revealed Russia's recruitment practices.

The Russian embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the media report.

'Unverified'

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday reports on the death of an alleged Filipino combatant serving in the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine were unverified.

“This is still unverified report po. As of this time, we are conducting direct dapat yung sources natin for this. So sa ngayon po, hindi pa po natin ito ma-confirm because we have yet to receive word from official sources,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said at a press briefing.

(This is still an unverified report. As of this time, we are conducting efforts with direct sources for this. So for now, we cannot confirm this because we have yet to receive word from official sources.)

“This is still unverified report as of this time. So hindi po muna tayo mag-speculate po (So let's not speculate). It's still too early po to answer that,” she added.

'Refrain from speculation'

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday urged the public to “refrain from speculation.” 

In the report circulated by Euromaidan Press, it identified the Filipino recruit as “John Patrick,” who was reportedly killed while fighting together with Russian troops in Ukraine. 

“The Philippine National Police (PNP) has taken note of reports about the death of a Filipino in Ukraine.  As of now, these reports are unverified,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Rabdulf Tuaño said. 

“The PNP is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other agencies to check the information and advises the public to refrain from speculation until facts are confirmed," he added.

'Still being validated'

In a separate statement, Padilla said the AFP is coordinating with government agencies and counterparts to verify the reports.

"We have taken note of the report circulating from Ukrainian defense sources. At this point, the information is still being validated through proper channels. The AFP does not rely on third-party battlefield reports alone to confirm the identity or nationality of individuals involved in foreign conflicts," she said.

"We are coordinating with relevant government agencies and official counterparts to verify the details. Until such verification is completed, it would be premature to confirm or deny the report. As a matter of policy, we deal in confirmed facts — not unverified claims," she added.

Before this, in December 2025, the AFP said it was verifying reports that Filipinos were allegedly being recruited in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. — with a report from Jun Veneracion/VDV/NB, GMA Integrated News