A Russian-American internet content creator was arrested and is now facing deportation for harassing and insulting Filipinos at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said 34-year-old vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was collared at the Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City based on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) mission order for undesirability.
“We have read the online outrage and we coordinated with other authorities for proper actions against the subject. We cannot just let this incident pass,” said Torre.
He was referring to the social media uproar over the behavior of Zdorovetskiy who allegedly harassed Filipinos and violated local laws for “disturbing the peace in the Philippines” content.
Zdorovetskiy, who has over 10 million YouTube subscribers, drew the ire of netizens for his videos showing him insulting and harassing Filipinos, including those at the BGC.
Among those he harassed was a BGC security guard who went to the Southern Police District (SPD) to file a complaint that led to the foreigner’s arrest.
“His recent video filmed in BGC and went viral online has sparked outrage due to his alleged disruptive and inappropriate behavior toward unsuspecting and friendly Filipinos,” said Torre.
Aside from harassing security guards, he was also seen pulling a prank on passersby.
The arrested accused was duly apprised of his constitutional rights in a language (English) known and understood by him.
The Russian vlogger has been placed in the custody of the BI after his arrest.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the bureau took custody of Zdorovetskiy on Wednesday, April 2, after being turned over by PNP-CIDG.
“The Philippines welcomes visitors from all over the world, but those who abuse our hospitality and violate our laws will be held accountable,” Viado warned.
“Harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society, and we will take swift action against offenders,” he added.
“Our laws exist to protect the welfare of Filipinos,” Viado stressed.
“Let this serve as a reminder that while we welcome visitors, those who fail to respect our people and our laws will face the consequences,” he declared.
Zdorovetskiy is now detained at the BI facility in Taguig City pending his deportation. (Aaron Recuenco, Jeffrey Damicog)
