The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday it is verifying reports that 14 Filipinos may have been recruited by Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine.
DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the department is coordinating with Philippine foreign service posts regarding reports of Filipinos who may have joined foreign armed forces.
She said the government’s priority is the safety and welfare of Filipinos and that consular assistance will be extended when appropriate, subject to Philippine law, international practice and host-country regulations.
The DFA also renewed its warning to Filipino job seekers to exercise caution when accepting overseas employment offers and to verify recruiters and employers, particularly when there is a risk of recruitment into foreign military service.
During a European Union-hosted virtual press conference Wednesday, Munira Mustaffa, executive director of Malaysia-based security consultancy Chasseur Group, said 14 Filipinos had reportedly been recruited by Russia.
Citing data from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Mustaffa said one Filipino had been killed while another was being held as a prisoner of war.
