Quezon City, April 7 — Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Juanito Victor Remulla on Monday morning presented to the media the arrested Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who recently went viral for allegedly harassing Filipinos in public spaces.
In a press conference held in Quezon City, Remulla made it clear that the controversial content creator will not be deported and will instead face charges under Philippine law.
“Hindi po namin siya ide-deport. Mananagot siya sa batas dito sa Pilipinas,” Remulla stated firmly.
Zdorovetskiy, known for his prank videos and online stunts, came under fire after several of his recent posts were condemned by netizens and local officials for allegedly harassing locals and creating public disturbances.
Authorities have yet to disclose the specific charges being filed against him, but officials have emphasized the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens against abusive behavior—regardless of the offender’s nationality.
The arrest has sparked conversations on social media about the need for stricter regulations on content creation and the responsibilities of online influencers, especially foreign nationals operating in the country.