MANILA, Philippines — Russian national and controversial vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will serve his sentence in the Philippines following his arrest in April for multiple counts of harassment, according to Interior Secretary Benhur “Jonvic” Remulla.
In a statement released Sunday, June 1, Remulla confirmed that deportation is not an option as both Russia and the United States declined to receive Zdorovetskiy. Although he holds a U.S. green card, the U.S. government refused to repatriate him.
“Ang problema kasi namin, ang Russia, hindi siya tinatanggap, ang US naman, green card holder siya, hindi rin siya tinatanggap, so hindi namin alam kung saan siya papauwiin eh,” Remulla said.
(Our problem is, Russia won’t accept him and the U.S. won’t either, so we don’t know where to send him.)
Zdorovetskiy is currently facing trial for three counts of unjust vexation, with penalties ranging from three months to a year in prison. Remulla stressed that the Philippines will ensure the sentence is carried out.
“We will service his sentence, sinigurado ko po ‘yun,” he added.
(We will carry out his sentence, I made sure of that.)
The charges stem from a string of disruptive incidents, including the harassment of a security guard and an elderly woman at Bonifacio Global City, theft of a restaurant electric fan and a tricycle, and reckless behavior such as jumping onto a moving jeepney.
Zdorovetskiy was apprehended on April 3 at a hotel in Pasay City. His arrest followed a Bureau of Immigration order declaring him an “undesirable alien.”
Despite a letter from the vlogger appealing for leniency due to mental health reasons, authorities have decided to proceed with prosecution.
Videos of his disruptive behavior drew public outrage and calls for tighter regulations on foreign vloggers in the country.
