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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP verifying report on alleged Filipino mercenary killed in Ukraine

AFP verifying report on alleged Filipino mercenary killed in Ukraine

Published Jan 27, 2026 03:38 pm
In this photo taken on Dec. 20, 2025 and provided by Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier walks through the ruins of the town of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
In this photo taken on Dec. 20, 2025 and provided by Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier walks through the ruins of the town of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday, Jan. 27, that it was validating reports that a Filipino national is involved as a mercenary of Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has taken note of the circulating report but stressed that it remains unconfirmed.
“We have taken note of the report circulating from Ukrainian defense sources. At this point, the information is still being validated through proper channels,” Padilla said.
She emphasized that the AFP does not base its assessments solely on battlefield claims released by third parties.
Padilla added that the military is working with other government agencies and official foreign counterparts to establish the facts surrounding the report.
“We are coordinating with relevant government agencies and official counterparts to verify the details,” she said.
Padilla also cautioned the public against drawing conclusions while the verification process is ongoing.
“Until such verification is completed, it would be premature to confirm or deny the report,” she added.
She reiterated the AFP’s policy of releasing information only after it has been confirmed.
“As a matter of policy, we deal in confirmed facts — not unverified claims,” Padilla said.
The AFP did not provide a timeline for when the verification process is expected to be completed.
A report released by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence on Monday, Jan. 26, said a Filipino identified only as “John Patrick” was among foreign fighters killed on the Russian side in the war in eastern Ukraine.
The report cited information from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) that the Filipino’s body was found in Donetsk Oblast near the village of Novoselivka in the Kramatorsk district.
He was reportedly serving with Russia’s 9th Assault Company of the 3rd Battalion, 283rd Regiment, 144th Motor Rifle Division, as part of the 20th Combined Arms Army.

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