Dennis Gaviola

Remulla reminds tourists to respect Filipinos after arrest of foreign vloggers

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday reminded foreign tourists to respect Filipinos and the country’s laws following the arrest of two foreign vloggers accused of offensive and threatening online content. Remulla’s statement came after the arrest of Estonian vlogger Siim Roosipuu in Dumaguete City and Russian vlogger Nikita Chekhov in Quezon City.Roosipuu was arrested by immigration authorities on January 15 after local officials in Negros Oriental declared him persona non grata.Authorities said complaints against the vlogger included harassment, unauthorized filming, offensive remarks, and online content that demeaned Filipinos.One of his videos showed him insulting Filipinos by saying they looked like monkeys while mimicking their actions.“Si Siim ay overstaying sa Pilipinas ng ilang linggo na. Ang last extension ay hanggang January 1 lamang. Ngunit dahil siya ay nahuli, siya ay dadalihin sa trial court,” Remulla said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/21/vlogger-vitaly-zdorovetskiy-says-philippine-detention-built-me-1107">Vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy says after Philippine detention: ‘They really tried to break me but it built me’</a></div>He added that Roosipuu will face charges under the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.“Minamahal natin ang turista. Ang turismo ay malaking bagay sa ating ekonomiya. Pero kung ang mga dayuhan na ito ay ginagago tayo, ay hindi natin aatrasan ito,” Remulla said.Meanwhile, Russian vlogger Nikita Chekhov was arrested on Wednesday inside a condominium building in Quezon City.Chekhov went viral on social media after posting videos threatening to deliberately spread HIV while in the Philippines, while also hurling profanities at Filipinos.“Nakikita niyo naman, hindi lang sabi niya pagkakalat niya ang kanyang sakit ng HIV, minumura pa ang lahat ng Pilipino. Ayan ang nakakapikon,” Remulla said.“Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, nung sa kanyang pagkaaresto ay tinest siya. Negative siya sa HIV, negative sa lahat ng STD. In other words, nagpapasikat lang, ginagamit ng mga Pilipino,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/21/bi-arrests-viral-russian-national-who-said-he-will-spread-hiv-in-ph-1907">BI arrests viral Russian national who said he will spread HIV in PH</a></div>Remulla stressed that the government would apply the full force of the law against foreigners who abuse the country’s hospitality.“Bibigyan natin ng buong bigat ng batas para maramdaman nila na kung maganda ang Pilipinas sa pag-iikot, sila ay mas magagandahan pag nasa loob na ng preso,” he said, citing the case of controversial vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy as an example.“Let this be an example to all the tourists. We love you all. We welcome you to the Philippines. But please do not abuse our hospitality,” Remulla added.

Complaints against one vlogger included harassment, unauthorized filming, offensive remarks, and online content that demeaned Filipinos.

Complaints against one vlogger included harassment, unauthorized filming, offensive remarks, and online content that demeaned Filipinos.