Malacañang has officially dismissed circulating reports about the United States recruiting Filipino citizens to fight in Ukraine's ongoing war, labeling the information as completely false.
Official Denial from the Palace
During a press briefing on Friday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro firmly addressed the allegations, citing the Department of Foreign Affairs' official position. "It is fake news, according to Ukraine Embassy," Castro stated, directly quoting DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
The strong denial came in response to claims made by Russian officials that had been circulating in international media reports.
Russian Claims and International Responses
According to a TASS report published on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova had alleged that representatives from an American security firm were actively conducting recruitment campaigns in the Philippines.
Zakharova's specific claims included:
- Recruitment of local Filipino citizens for the Ukrainian army
- Issuance of Schengen work visas through the German Embassy in Manila
- Documentation listing recruits as employees of Berlin-based private security companies
- Subsequent transfer of recruits to other EU countries, including Poland and Ukraine
International Embassies Confirm Denial
The German Embassy in Manila has joined Ukrainian and Philippine authorities in rejecting Moscow's allegations. Embassy officials have clearly denied any involvement in the alleged recruitment scheme or visa processing for such purposes.
This coordinated denial from multiple international diplomatic channels reinforces the Philippine government's position that the recruitment claims are entirely baseless.
The timing of these false claims comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and highlights the importance of verifying information through official channels before sharing or believing such reports.
