Malacañang warned Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials that President Marcos expects strict compliance with his clean-government directive, as a probe continues into allegations of irregularities inside a BI detention facility following claims made by a Russian vlogger.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after deported Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was supposedly able to record videos while under BI custody.

In a press briefing on Monday, Jan. 26, Castro said the President wants the government free of corruption and will not hesitate to remove officials who violate the law or abuse their positions.

“Alam naman po ng bawat ahensiya at ng lahat ng kawani ng gobyerno na nais ng Pangulo na malinis ang gobyernong ito mula sa korapsyon (Every agency and every government employee knows that the President wants this government to be free from corruption),” she said.

“Kung hindi po sila aayon sa kagustuhan ng Pangulo na maging malinis ang gobyerno mula sa korapsyon, maaari silang matanggal sa puwesto (If they do not comply with the President’s desire for a corruption-free government, they can be removed from office),” she added.

According to the Palace Press Officer, six BI officials have so far been removed from their posts or have submitted courtesy resignations amid the probe. These include one detention warden, two deputy wardens, and three other BI personnel previously relieved.

Castro said President Marcos ordered a thorough investigation into the incident involving the Russian vlogger, including allegations that he was able to use a cellphone while in detention.

Castro said BI leadership clarified that detainees may only be allowed limited cellphone access to contact their families, but recording videos inside the facility is strictly prohibited.

“Ang paggawa po ng video ng nasabing Russian vlogger ay hindi po naaayon sa rules at ito po ay walang authority (The making of a video by the Russian vlogger was not in accordance with the rules and had no authority),” she said.

She added that the unauthorized video violated facility regulations and is now part of the ongoing investigation.

While disputing the vlogger’s credibility as he could just “create stories for the views,” Castro said any allegations Zdorovetskiy raised could still help guide investigators if they point to wider wrongdoing.

“Kung mayroon pa po siyang masasabi o rebelasyon, magsisilbi rin po itong guide para mas maging maganda ang pag-iimbestiga (If he has further statements or revelations, these can serve as a guide to improve the investigation),” she said.

Castro added that if evidence points to abuse or corruption, criminal cases may still be filed against those involved.

Asked if a leadership reshuffle within the BI is being considered, Castro said this would depend on the outcome of the investigation.

“Kailangan pong maimbestigahan kung sino ba at kanino ba nagmula ang mga ganitong klaseng pang-aabuso (There needs to be an investigation into who committed and who was responsible for these kinds of abuses),” she said.