Pinoy prisoner in Ukraine warned his brother against working in Russia

The Filipino, who is being held captive in Ukraine, warned his brother against accepting the job offer in Russia, reported GMA Regional TV's CJ Torida on "24 Oras" Tuesday.

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.

In the video, Gumangan said he was recruited for a logistics role, but was assigned a different job upon arriving in Russia.

Raymon Gumangan told his brother Ryan not to work in Russia.

The last words from Raymon were “'tol…huwag ka nang tumuloy!”

Raymon, who hails from Alcala, Pangasinan, went to Russia to work, but he was made a soldier in order to fight Ukraine. He is now a prisoner in Ukraine.

Ryan, meanwhile, shared his experience in applying for a job in Russia.

Ryan admitted he was recruited for a job online by a foreigner he named "Perst." He did not provide further details about the recruiter.

There were 13 of them who were offered good paying jobs in Russia.

"Truck driver po iyong apply ko doon. Logistics, tapos pag dating ko doon, pipirma ng kontrata. May matatanggap na 300 thousand to 400 thousand pesos philippine money. Tapos ang sahod buwan -buwan 200 to 250,000," Ryan said.

(I was applying for a truck driver there. Logistics, then when I get there, I'll sign a contract. I'll receive 300 thousand to 400 thousand pesos Philippine money. Then the monthly salary is 200 to 250,000.)

Ryan and two others were supposed to leave for Russia via Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in October 2024 but an immigration officer did not allow them to leave the country because of they lacked the required documents.

"Perst" gave them a second option. But they decided not to leave after talking to his brother, Raymon.

"Instruction ni "Perst," pupunta ng Zamboanga. Tapos magbabangka. Iyon iyong sinabi niya para makatawid ng ibang bansa, mag-Malaysia. Hindi na natuloy kasi sinabihan ako ng kapatid ko na, "'tol huwag ka nang tumuloy, kasi hindi mo kaya iyong trabaho dito," said Ryan.

("Go to Zamboanga. Then take a boat." That's what he said to cross over to another country, Malaysia. We did not push through because my brother told me, "Don't go there anymore, because you cannot do the job here.")

Now, Ryan is unable to talk to the recruiter, who also left their group chat.

Meanwhile, the Migrant Workers Office reminded those seeking jobs abroad to be careful.

"Pakikipag-usap lang via social media illegal recruitment iyon. Punta po kayo dito sa office, magtanong kung licensed ba iyong agency, kung proper ba iyong person na nag re-recruit," said Myrlene Galvan, Migrant Desk Officer based in Alcala, Pangasinan.

(Just talking via social media is illegal recruitment. Go to the office, ask if the agency is licensed, if the person recruiting is proper.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News