Russian vlogger faces charges, not deportation

Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will remain in Bureau of Immigration custody to face criminal charges instead of being deported immediately.

Zdorevetskiy, arrested last week for disrespecting Filipinos and violating BI operations order under the Philippine Immigration Act, faces multiple charges including unjust vexation, alarm and scandal, attempted theft, insulting a windsurfing instructor on Boracay Island, and harassment of a security guard in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

At a press briefing on Monday, April 7, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that Zdorovetskiy will not receive special treatment and will remain in the Bureau of Immigration detention facility in Muntinlupa until his trial.

Videos presented during the briefing showed him harassing a security guard and an elderly woman in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, while also stealing items such as an electric fan from a restaurant and abandoning a tricycle on a road.

Authorities are investigating Zdorevetskiy's local cameraman for allegedly enabling his acts of harassment during livestreams; the cameraman may face charges for involvement in these crimes.

In a statement, Remulla highlighted that this case shows Filipinos' commitment to upholding law and order within their own country.

The DILG chief stressed that content creators must be accountable for their actions and that harassing or disrespecting others through social media is unacceptable.