MANILA, Philippines– Malacañang Palace on Friday urged foreigners visiting the country to respect its laws, customs, and traditions, especially those who create content for social media.
The Presidential Communications Office emphasized this stance following the arrest of Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy. Authorities accused Zdorovetskiy of harassing Filipinos through several of his videos.
The Philippine National Police, in cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration, detained Zdorovetskiy.
Officials sought his apprehension due to his alleged disrespectful conduct in his vlogs. The arrest followed complaints from security guards and a restaurant owner in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Zdorovetskiy faces charges of unjust vexation, theft, and attempted theft under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
His videos allegedly captured him engaging in disruptive behavior towards locals. The charges filed against him include three counts of unjust vexation, two cases of theft, and one count of attempted theft.
Authorities in the Philippines filed a complaint for undesirability against Zdorovetskiy. This complaint could lead to Zdorovetskiy’s deportation from the country.
The Presidential Communications Office highlighted the importance of adherence to local laws by foreigners. It warned that failure to comply could result in legal actions such as arrest and deportation.
