MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday warned Filipinos seeking employment abroad to be cautious of job offers that may covertly involve recruitment into foreign armed forces, including positions presented as ordinary civilian jobs.

In an advisory, the DFA said such involvement carries serious risks, including grave physical danger and legal consequences.

“Recruitment into foreign armed forces, whether directly or indirectly, may violate Philippine laws and lead to loss of citizenship,” the advisory read.

Under Commonwealth Act 63, participation in the military, naval, or air service of a foreign country without consent from the Philippine government may result in forfeiture of Filipino citizenship.

The DFA urged Filipinos to verify job offers, recruitment agencies, and employers with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and to remain vigilant against illegal or deceptive recruitment practices that could endanger their lives and welfare.

The warning follows a social media video featuring Raymond Gumangan from Alcala, Pangasinan, who said he was recruited for a logistics role but was assigned differently upon arrival in Russia. Gumangan reportedly remains in a detention camp in Ukraine as a prisoner of war.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said they are working to prevent deceptive recruitment that could put Filipinos at risk abroad.