Filipinos warned by DFA about joining foreign armed forces recruitment

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a warning for Filipinos planning to accept recruitment offers for foreign armed forces, including jobs being marketed as civil employment.

“Recruitment into foreign armed forces, whether directly or indirectly, may violate Philippine laws and lead to loss of citizenship,” the DFA warned.

DFA encouraged aspiring overseas workers to verify any job offers or agencies with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to avoid putting their lives and welfare at risk.

The statement followed after reports that a Filipino from Alcala, Pangasinan had been captured by Ukranian forces while fighting as a mercenary for Russia despite initially being recruited for a logistics role.

The DMW and OWWA said that he had not been part of their database and that they and the DFA were looking into how he was able to leave the country and possible repatriation procedures. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News