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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 3 BI officials sacked over Russian vlogger's contents while in detention—Palace

3 BI officials sacked over Russian vlogger's contents while in detention—Palace

Published Jan 22, 2026 05:40 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Three officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) were dismissed after Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was able to film vlog contents while in detention, Malacañang said.
"So because of that marami po ang natanggal, tatlo po ang natanggal na Immigration official because of that at marami pong na-confiscate na mga cellphones (Because of this, several personnel were removed, three immigration officials were dismissed, and many mobile phones were confiscated), Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Thursday, Jan. 22.
According to Castro, the Immigration has clarified that the contents were filmed during the early stages of his arrest.
"Nakausap po natin mismo ang spokesperson ng Bureau of Immigration at si Russian vlogger ay na-detain sa Bureau of Immigration detention facility at ang mga nauna daw yatang mga video ay noong early time ng kanyang pagkaka-arrest (We personally spoke with the spokesperson of the Bureau of Immigration, and the Russian vlogger was detained at the Bureau of Immigration detention facility. The earlier videos that circulated were reportedly taken during the early period of his arrest)," Castro said.
The Palace official, however, said that if there are still other issues that may be identified, they will be investigated.
"Pero kung mayroon pa pong iba na maaaring masabi natin na nagkakaroon ng kakulangan ay paiimbestigahan pa po ito at kailangang matanggal ang dapat na matanggal sa posisyon kung mayroong pang-aabuso (However, if there are still other issues or shortcomings that may be identified, these will continue to be investigated, and those who should be removed from their positions will be dismissed if there was any abuse)," Castro said.
The Russian vlogger was detained for harassment-related offenses committed in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City.
He was arrested last year after filming prank videos involving Filipino civilians.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), his actions reportedly included attempting to kiss and grab a security guard, trying to seize the guard’s firearm, recording individuals without consent, and vlogging in BGC without the required permit.

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Malacañang Bureau of Immigration Russian vlogger
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