President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday criticized Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy as “crazy” after viewing viral videos of the foreign national mocking and harassing Filipinos during his stay in the country.
“Sira ulo rin. Hindi naman Pilipino, puwede ko bang murahin?” the President said in a teaser clip posted to his social media pages. Marcos added that he will discuss the matter further in his upcoming vlog on April 14.
Zdorovetskiy, who has been tagged an “undesirable alien” by authorities, is currently facing criminal complaints for allegedly harassing security guards and stealing an industrial fan while livestreaming inside a mall in Taguig City on March 31.
The Russian national also sparked widespread outrage after he hurled “vulgar, sexually degrading remarks” at a Filipino surfing instructor during a safety briefing in Boracay. The Department of Tourism has since voiced support for law enforcement’s efforts to hold Zdorovetskiy accountable for “mistreating Filipinos in the country.”
On April 7, Interior Secretary Benhur “Jonvic” Remulla presented Zdorovetskiy to the media at a press briefing in Quezon City. The vlogger was seen handcuffed and escorted by Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel.
“Hindi po namin siya ide-deport. Mananagot siya sa batas dito sa Pilipinas,” Remulla said. “Tapos na po ang mga dayuhan na akala nila kaya nilang lapastanganin ang mga Pilipino.”
Remulla emphasized that Zdorovetskiy will be treated like any regular detainee, with no special privileges. “Ilalagay po siya sa regular detention facility… kung anong kinakain ng regular inmate ay siya ring kakainin,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning to content creators, both foreign and local, against using social media platforms irresponsibly.
“A vlog, ang social media, ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Kung gusto niyong pakakitaan ang mga katarantaduhan n’yo, handa kayong pagbayaran lahat ‘yon,” he said.
Remulla added that authorities are still identifying Zdorovetskiy’s cameraman, who is believed to have played an active role in the offenses.
