President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned the harassment of Filipinos by a foreign national, asserting that it is unacceptable for foreigners to bully or disrespect Filipinos within their own country.
The statement came after reports reached the President regarding a viral video showing Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy harassing Filipinos in public spaces.
In response, President Marcos ordered law enforcement authorities to take immediate action, leading to a joint operation between the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Bureau of Immigration to apprehend Zdorovetskiy.
The vlogger, known for his controversial content, was seen in social media clips mocking and disrespecting local residents, with no regard for Philippine laws or cultural norms.
The President emphasized that Filipinos must be protected from foreign individuals who show blatant disregard for national laws and social decency.
According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, the foreign vlogger and his Filipino cameraman are now facing criminal charges.
The Palace also issued a warning to all foreign tourists in the country to follow and respect Philippine laws while on its soil.
Castro further called on all content creators to exercise responsibility in producing their content, noting their role in sharing accurate information rather than baselessly attacking the government.
The Palace confirmed that Zdorovetskiy is set to be deported and may be declared persona non grata in the Philippines.