Remulla: Deportation not an option, detained Russian vlogger to remain in PH jail
By Chito Chavez
Detained Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will remain in the local jail facility and will not be deported, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito “Jonvic” Remulla said.
In a statement, Remulla explained that the deportation of Zdorovetskiy is not an option as both the Russia and the United States, where the vlogger is a green card holder, refused to accept 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 (Our problem is, Russia did not accept him (Zdorovetskiy), the US, where he is a green card holder also refused to accommodate him, so we are at a lost where to deport him,’’ Remulla noted.
Remulla said Zdorovetskiy is facing trial next week for three counts of unjust vexation, with possible jail time of three months to one year.
“We will service his sentence, sinigurado ko po ‘yun (We will serve his sentence, I am assuring that,’’ he added.
He also shared that the vlogger had written to him, pleading for the charges to be dropped, citing mental health issues.
Once proven guilty, Remulla said Zdorovetskiy may serve up to 18 months in a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested on April 3 for harassing Filipinos in public while filming for the content of his vlogs.