The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday advised Filipino nationals against joining foreign armed forces, warning that such participation involves serious legal risks and could result in losing citizenship.
In an advisory, the DFA told Filipino nationals that accepting overseas job offers may involve recruitment into foreign armed forces, even if presented as regular civilian employment in other sectors.
“Participation in foreign armed conflicts exposes Filipinos to grave danger and serious legal consequences,” the advisory read.
The DFA also advised Filipinos to verify job offers, recruitment agencies, and employers with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), as well as to stay alert against illegal or misleading recruitment practices.
“Recruitment into foreign armed forces, whether directly or indirectly, may violate Philippine laws and lead to loss of citizenship,” the advisory said.
The issuance follows reports from Ukraine’s military intelligence in late January, stating that a Filipino named John Patrick was killed near Novoselivka in Donetsk while serving with Russian forces.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it has not yet received confirmation from official sources about the reported death.
Moreover, reports in February indicated that a Filipino from Alcala, Pangasinan, is now a prisoner of war in Ukraine after allegedly fighting for Russia.
The DMW stated it has no official record of Filipinos fighting in Ukraine, but confirmed that one Filipino is detained there for allegedly serving with Russian forces.
The department is coordinating with the DFA to determine how the Filipino reached Ukraine and to arrange possible repatriation.
