By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA – Malacañang on Friday lauded law enforcement agencies for their swift action in arresting Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who was accused of harassing Filipinos in viral videos.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was made aware of the incident and swiftly ordered authorities to take action.
“Yes, opo, nakarating po ito sa ating Pangulo kaya po mabilis niya po itong pinakilos itong ating mga awtoridad (Yes, the President was informed about this, which is why he quickly ordered authorities to act),” Castro said.
Castro credited the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for their joint efforts in apprehending the vlogger.
“Kaya po sa joint efforts po ng PNP, CIDG at ang Bureau of Immigration ay nahuli po itong agad si Vitaly Zdorovetskiy dahil nga nakita nga po kung papaano bastusin ang ating mga kababayan at hindi igalang kung anong batas natin dito (Through the joint efforts of the PNP, CIDG, and the Bureau of Immigration, Zdorovetskiy was immediately arrested after he was seen disrespecting our fellow Filipinos and disregarding our laws),” she said.
Castro confirmed that Zdorovetskiy is now detained at the BI facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan and is undergoing inquest proceedings.
Castro said Zdorovetskiy is expected to be deported and could be declared persona non grata.
“Opo. Eh unang una po ay ipapa-deport na yan eh so doon pa lang po talagang persona non grata na ang maituturing sa kanya (Yes. First of all, he will be deported, so he can already be considered persona non grata),” she said.
The Filipino cameraman working with Zdorovetskiy may also face charges, Castro said.
“Opo. Kasi po kung tutuusin po natin in conspiracy po yan (Yes, because technically, that constitutes conspiracy)”, she said, adding that he could be charged with unjust vexation, depending on the nature of his participation.
Castro stressed that foreign vloggers are welcome in the Philippines, but they must respect local laws and customs.
“Ang mga turista naman po, ang mga foreign nationals, ay welcome naman po sa Pilipinas. Pero hindi po ibig sabihin nito na eh kung welcome sila ay handa na rin po nila na bastusin ang mga Filipino, ang kostumbre po natin, ang batas natin” (Tourists and foreign nationals are welcome in the Philippines, but that does not mean they can disrespect Filipinos, our customs, and our laws), Castro said.
She further explained that freedom of expression must be balanced with responsibility.
“Ang bawat freedom, ang bawat karapatan ay may kaakibat na obligasyon. Hindi puro karapatan ang dapat isigaw” (Every freedom, every right comes with obligations. One should not only demand rights)”, she said.
Zdorovetskiy, 34, was arrested Wednesday at Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City after the BI declared him an undesirable alien.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the arrest followed an online uproar over Zdorovetskiy’s content, which included pretending to rob a woman and mocking a security guard.
“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.
BI Commissioner Joel Viado stressed that visitors must follow Philippine laws.
“The Philippines welcomes visitors from all over the world but those who abuse our hospitality and abuse our laws will be held accountable,” Viado said. “Harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society and we will take swift action against offenders.” (PNA)
