Brash Russian vlogger to face raps in PH

ILL-MANNERED GUEST. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (seated, left) asks Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy (standing, center) to refrain from issuing unnecessary side remarks during a press conference in Quezon City on Monday (April 7, 2025). The foreigner was arrested in Pasay City on April 2 following several instances of insulting Filipinos while filming his contents. (Photo courtesy: Joan Bondoc / PNA)

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will have to stay longer in the country to face criminal charges for harassing and insulting Filipinos for his vlog’s content.

Remulla said Zdorovetskiy will not be deported until a final verdict is handed down by a Philippine court.

“Babala na rin ito. People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a license to shame or to hurt or to besmirch anyone,” Remulla said in a press conference in Quezon City.

Remulla said the Russian, arrested April 2 in Pasay, is under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration “as an undesirable alien and a flight risk.”

At least five criminal charges were filed against Zdorevetskiy, including a case in Boracay Island where he allegedly insulted a windsurfing instructor.

“He has been making vlogs and making money out of disrespecting people. But not in our own land. We will not allow him to insult and disrespect any Filipino,” Remulla said.

During the press briefing, the moderator had to remind the Russian to behave after he was seen murmuring and making gestures apparently aimed at the DILG chief.

Remulla said he heard Zdorevetskiy cursing at him.

He said the Russian was declared persona non grata in some countries because of his unusual behavior.

Popular

On Teachers’ Month, DepEd notes good news for teachers

By Brian Campued As the Philippines joins the global community in honoring the invaluable contributions of teachers in shaping the next generation’s leaders and professionals,...

Phivolcs identifies fault that caused magnitude 6.9 Cebu quake

By Brian Campued State seismologists have located the source of the powerful offshore earthquake that jolted northern Cebu and the rest of Visayas on Sept....

PBBM: Launch of new dairy farm to boost local milk production, supply

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk...

PBBM leads distribution of various aid to Aeta communities in Pampanga

By Brian Campued In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of various forms of...