RUSSIAN VLOGGER ARRESTED FOR HARASSING FILIPINOS

POLICE on Wednesday arrested in Pasay City a Russian-American vlogger who was accused of harassing Filipinos for alleged social media content.

According to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, 34, was nabbed at the Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City based on the mission order for undesirability from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“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,” Torre said in a statement Thursday.

The content creator’s videos went viral and drew flak for harassing and insulting Filipinos.

Torre said Zdorovetskiy’s recent video filmed in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) has sparked outrage due to his alleged disruptive and inappropriate behavior toward unsuspecting  Filipinos.

In a post on X, Zdorovetskiy was seen threatening to rob a woman passing by the area who refused his offer of money in exchange for appearing in his vlog.

In another incident, a mall security guard flagged Zdorovetskiy and told him to stop recording inside the establishment. He then grabbed the guard’s hat and refused to return it.

He was also seen mocking the security guard.

The arrested content creator was turned over to the BI’s detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City while awaiting deportation proceedings.

According to Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, while Filipinos are known for their hospitality, foreign visitors are expected to respect local customs and obey Philippine laws.

Viado said harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society and offenders face swift action.