Quezon City: Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will remain in the Philippines to face criminal charges related to harassing and insulting Filipinos for his online content. Remulla emphasized that Zdorovetskiy will not be deported until a Philippine court delivers a final verdict on the cases against him.

According to Philippines News Agency, Zdorovetskiy was arrested on April 2 in Pasay and is currently under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration, classified as an undesirable alien and a flight risk. At least five criminal charges have been filed against him, including an incident in Boracay Island where he allegedly insulted a windsurfing instructor.

Remulla addressed the media in a press conference in Quezon City, warning content creators about the consequences of their actions. He stated, “People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a license to shame or to hurt or to besmirch anyone.” During the briefing, Zdorovetskiy was reminded by the moderator to behave after he was observed murmuring and making gestures directed at Remulla.

The DILG Secretary added that Zdorovetskiy has been declared persona non grata in several countries due to his behavior. “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 asserted.