The Russian-American vlogger who went viral on social media after making several Filipinos the subject of his pranks may not be deported without serving jail time in the Philippines.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that Vitaly Zdorovetskiy may not be deported yet while they are waiting for complaints against the vlogger.
It can be recalled that Zdorovetskiy’s video, which allegedly made fun of an old woman, a security guard, a tricycle driver, and a surfing business employee in different instances, went viral on social media and received criticism from netizens.
According to Sandoval, Zdorovetskiy was not allowed to leave the country once the charges were officially filed against him.
“Kung mayroon po siyang local case dito sa Pilipinas, aandar din po yun kasabay ng deportation case. Kung sakali pong magkaroon siya ng local case at siya po ay hatulan ng pagkakabilanggo dito sa Pilipinas, kailangan muna niya pong hintayin ‘yun…at mabilanggo siya dito sa Pilipinas bago natin ma-implement ang deportation,” said Sandoval.
PNP already filed cybercrime, theft, and unjust vexation charges against Zdorovetskiy, but BI encouraged other victims to do the same.
Aside from Zdorovetskiy, the authorities also pursued the Filipino cameraman of the vlogger.
“Nakikipag-coordinate kami sa hotel kung saan sila nakatira. Yun ang hinahabol namin ngayon, maihabol [sa kaso] yung Pilipinong kasama ni Vitaly,” she said.