AFP coordinates with DFA and DMW over Filipinos recruited for Russia jobs

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 23, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Migrant Workers following reports of Filipinos being recruited for security and military work in Russia.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military is looking at the issue broadly, including the possibility of human trafficking and other risks faced by Filipinos seeking employment abroad.

“In this case, dito sa issue nito, nakikipagtulungan tayo diyan with the DMW and the DFA,” Padilla said.

She said the AFP could not speculate on the intentions of Filipinos who respond to such recruitment offers.

“Basically, we could not speculate doon sa mga intentions ng mga gustong mag-join ng mga ganitong recruitment,” Padilla said.

The AFP response follows the interception of four Filipino passengers by the Bureau of Immigration at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Sept. 18 and 19. The BI classified them as potential victims of human trafficking.

On Sept. 18, three men told immigration officers that Thailand was their destination. During secondary inspection, however, one of them disclosed that Russia was his actual destination and that he had been recruited through Facebook for work as security personnel.

The passenger said he was offered P70,000 a month. Another member of the group said he had been recruited by an unidentified person in Bangkok, while the third said his travel was sponsored by a person identified only as “Alexander.”

On Sept. 19, immigration officers stopped another Filipino who initially declared Vietnam as his destination.

During further verification, the passenger allegedly admitted that Russia was his intended final destination and that he had been recruited for military service.

According to the BI, he was promised P150,000 a month, Russian citizenship after one year and additional bonuses for completing a “special mission.” Immigration officers also found a concealed Russian visa in his possession.

Padilla said the government is also considering the wider risks surrounding overseas recruitment.

“Ang tinitingnan natin dito pangkalahatan ito. Kasama diyan yung human trafficking, kasama diyan yung iba’t ibang issues that we address going outside,” she said.

The four passengers have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further assessment, investigation and assistance.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has urged Filipinos looking for overseas employment to verify job offers and recruiters through the DMW, particularly offers made online that promise unusually high salaries, rapid deployment or other benefits without proper documentation.

The cases come amid separate reports involving Filipinos allegedly recruited to serve in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The DFA said on September 18 that it was verifying reports that 14 Filipinos had been recruited by Russia for the war. The figure came from data cited by Malaysia-based security consultancy Chasseur Group, according to the Philippine News Agency. The DFA said it was coordinating with Philippine foreign service posts and reiterated its warning to Filipinos to exercise caution when considering overseas job offers that could involve recruitment into foreign armed forces.

The DFA has previously warned that enlistment in foreign armed forces can carry serious physical and legal risks and advised prospective overseas workers to verify recruiters, employers and employment offers with the DMW.