PNP warns against fake military job offers in Eastern Europe

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday ordered tighter monitoring of suspected illegal recruitment schemes targeting Filipinos seeking overseas employment, following reports of job offers in Eastern Europe that allegedly involved bypassing immigration screening.

Nartatez directed concerned police units to coordinate with government agencies to identify appropriate measures to protect Filipinos from potentially dangerous employment offers.

The directive aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order, through Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to curb human trafficking networks and protect vulnerable jobseekers from cross-border exploitation.

“We will not allow unscrupulous individuals or syndicates to exploit the aspirations of any of our kababayan for overseas employment. No promise of a high-paying job should come at the expense of a Filipino’s safety, dignity, or future,” Nartatez said.

The investigation followed the interception of three Filipinos, aged 21, 51 and 50, at Davao International Airport after authorities suspected they were being recruited for military and border guard positions in Eastern Europe.

The three initially claimed they were traveling to Thailand to participate in or coach a Muay Thai tournament but later disclosed their intended employment, for which they were allegedly promised monthly salaries of P200,000.

They said two foreign recruiters had offered to cover their travel expenses and arrange their European electronic visas while they were in Thailand.

The group was initially instructed on 13 October to take a supposed “backdoor” route through Zamboanga, but the plan was later changed to air travel from Davao. They were intercepted before their scheduled departure on 17 October and referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation.

Nartatez ordered police units to intensify surveillance and monitoring of suspected illegal recruiters, stressing the need for closer coordination among law enforcement agencies to prevent more Filipinos from falling victim to deceptive recruitment schemes.

The warning came amid reports that at least three Filipinos had died in the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“Illegal recruiters prey on the hopes of our kababayans by disguising dangerous schemes as opportunities for a better future. We will strengthen our intelligence operations and coordination with partner agencies to expose these schemes and hold those responsible accountable,” Nartatez said.

“No Filipino should be lured into a conflict zone by false promises of employment," he added.