BI warns vs. Russia-bound job offers

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned aspiring overseas workers against suspicious overseas job offers linked to Russia after intercepting another Filipino who was allegedly recruited for a security-related job in the country.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued the warning following the interception of a 50 year-old Filipino male at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport while attempting to depart on a Cathay Pacific flight to Vietnam on 10 October 2026.

According to the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section, the passenger disclosed during questioning that Russia was his intended work destination and that he had been recruited for a position as a K9 handler.

Further questioning revealed that the passenger had been contacted through WhatsApp and had spoken with the recruiter through a voice call before receiving his travel documents. He was reportedly offered a monthly salary of USD 3,500, with no upfront fees, but was instructed to pose as a tourist to conceal his intended employment.

The passenger was subsequently referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for appropriate assistance and further assessment of the alleged recruitment scheme.

Viado urged the public to remain vigilant against suspicious overseas job offers, particularly those that require applicants to misrepresent their purpose of travel or conceal their intended employment from immigration authorities.

The BI advised aspiring overseas workers to verify job offers through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and ensure that the necessary employment documents and work authorizations are in order before departure.