A Filipino man from Pangasinan who allegedly joined Russian forces has been captured by Ukrainian troops, raising concerns in Manila about Filipinos being recruited into foreign conflicts. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed it is monitoring the case and coordinating with international agencies.

MANILA, Philippines — February 3, 2026 — A Filipino national identified as Raymon Santos Gumangan, from Alcala, Pangasinan, has been captured in Ukraine while reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces. Ukrainian authorities released a video of Gumangan through the “I Want to Live” project, a government initiative encouraging Russian soldiers to surrender. In the footage, Gumangan admitted he had been recruited for a logistics role but was later assigned to combat duties under Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

According to reports, Gumangan signed a contract in 2024 with the Russian military and became part of the 51st Parachute Regiment. He was allegedly deployed in the Sumy region of Ukraine, where he participated in attacks before being captured by Ukrainian forces. His family in Pangasinan was informed of his detention by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which confirmed his status as a prisoner of war. His brother, Ronie, said Gumangan appeared frail and unrecognizable after losing significant weight during captivity.

In a letter dated September 17, 2025, Gumangan told his family that he was being held in a Ukrainian prison after his capture earlier that month. He appealed for help to return to the Philippines, saying he had initially sought employment abroad but ended up in the Russian military after finding the job online.

The DFA has yet to issue a formal statement on Gumangan’s case but has acknowledged that it is verifying details and coordinating with Ukrainian authorities. Philippine officials have previously warned citizens against joining foreign armed conflicts, stressing that such actions could endanger lives and violate international laws.

This incident comes amid reports of other Filipinos allegedly being recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with at least one case of a Filipino’s death still under verification by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The government has reiterated its call for Filipinos to avoid involvement in wars abroad, emphasizing that recruitment schemes promising high-paying jobs may lead to dangerous and illegal situations.

As Gumangan remains in Ukrainian custody, his family continues to appeal for government assistance to secure his safe return. The case highlights the risks faced by overseas Filipinos who may be lured into conflict zones under false pretenses, and underscores the need for vigilance against recruitment networks operating online.

From Job Listings to Front Lines

Overseas job markets run on trust, speed, and digital reach. When informal listings cross borders faster than regulation, civilian labor pathways can quietly intersect with military recruitment without immediate alarm.

This case exposes how gaps in oversight, online platforms, and verification systems allow employment promises to shift into coercive or undisclosed combat roles. Monitoring by DFA signals response, yet prevention depends on safeguards that operate before contracts are signed.

If civilians can move from job listings to front lines through ordinary channels, what does that reveal about the systems meant to protect workers from becoming instruments of war?