The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is coordinating with government agencies and international authorities to investigate the possible illegal recruitment of Filipinos in Russia amid the ongoing conflict with Ukrainian forces, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Wednesday.
Cacdac said the department is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Justice-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) to address the alleged recruitment activities.
“We’re working closely also with DOJ-IACAT para masugpo ito. Meron at meron talagang illegal recruitment activity along these lines,” Cacdac said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
He made the statement following reports that a Filipino had died while fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.
Cacdac did not confirm the reported death but acknowledged that illegal recruitment activities linked to such cases were taking place. He withheld further details, saying the investigation remains ongoing.
The DFA earlier said it was seeking confirmation of reports that a Filipino had died while fighting for Russian forces in the conflict in Ukraine.