A Russian vlogger who was arrested for “harassing” and “insulting” Filipinos during a livestream is now facing deportation.
The 33-year-old Russian-American content creator, identified as Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, was taken into custody after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a Mission Order for Undesirability against him, according to multiple reports by news outlets.
His arrest, which took place at a hotel in Pasay City, was carried out due to his alleged violation of the BI operations order on acts that constitute the undesirability of foreign nationals under the Philippine Immigration Act.
Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said Zdorovetskiy displayed “disruptive behavior” and allegedly harassed Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, during his livestream, which went viral on April 1.
In the video, he was seen grabbing a security guard’s hat, attempting to seize another guard’s gun, and threatening to rob a woman. His actions sparked public outrage online.
Following the incident, a BGC security guard reportedly filed a police blotter against the vlogger before the Southern Police District, which led to the issuance of the Mission Order and his subsequent arrest.
Zdorovetskiy, who has over 10 million subscribers on YouTube where he is known for creating prank videos, has officially been tagged as an “undesirable foreign national,” and is now facing deportation following legal procedures.
The vlogger is currently detained at the BI’s detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig, where the agency reported him of showing “no remorse” after his arrest.
“Walang ka-remorse-remorse. Kung makita n’yo po yung pictures saka video, talagang nako, doon sa picture po very smug pa ang itsura niya sa mugshot niya,” said BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
Sandoval added that during his arrest, Zdorovetskiy was even seen blowing kisses to the camera as officers read him his Miranda rights. “Parang nae-enjoy niya po yung limelight na dulot ng kaniyang kaguluhan,” she said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Aside from the harassment incidents, the vlogger was also accused of stealing an industrial fan from a restaurant and displaying aggressive behavior toward locals.
“Disruptive na po yung behavior niya, hindi lang nang-aasar. Kinuha niya yung motorcycle ng security guard, mayroong nabangga niya raw yung tricycle. Sinisigawan, minumura niya yung isang senior citizen kasi naka-face mask,” Sandoval further revealed.
According to the BI, Zdorovetskiy has a history of similar misconduct in other countries. “Nag-research po kami on the internet, nakita natin talagang gawain niya ito sa iba’t ibang bansa. Hindi ito ang first time na nahuli siya, nakulong siya dahil sa mga disruptive na mga activity,” Sandoval stated.
While awaiting deportation, Zdorovetskiy may still face local charges. If convicted, he will need to serve his sentence in the Philippines before deportation proceedings can proceed.
“Kung mayroon po siyang local case dito sa Pilipinas, aandar din po yun kasabay ng deportation case. Kung sakali pong magkaroon siya ng local case at siya po ay hatulan ng pagkakabilanggo dito sa Pilipinas, kailangan muna niya pong hintayin ‘yun…at mabilanggo siya dito sa Pilipinas bago natin ma-implement ang deportation,” Sandoval explained.
