Russian, Estonian vloggers arrested over ‘rage bait,’ harassment

Authorities have arrested two foreign vloggers, including a Russian man who claimed he would spread HIV in Metro Manila, for creating “rage bait” and “disrespectful” content, officials said Thursday.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla presented the suspects during a press conference at Camp Crame following their arrests by Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents.

One of the suspects, 21-year-old Nikita Chekhov of Russia, was apprehended in a Quezon City condominium. Chekhov, who arrived from Shanghai as a tourist on 15 January, sparked widespread panic after uploading videos filmed in Taguig City’s Bonifacio High Street.

In the footage, he allegedly claimed he intended to deliberately spread HIV during his stay.

“These so-called rage-bait videos irresponsibly cause fear and panic,” BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. “Foreign nationals who come to the Philippines to spread alarm, disrespect our people, or abuse our hospitality are not welcome and will face deportation.”

Also presented was 34-year-old Siim Roosipuu of Estonia. Roosipuu, who runs the YouTube channel “Pro Life Traveler,” was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City.

Social media reports and authorities indicated his content involved harassing locals and asking inappropriate questions to underage women in Negros Oriental.

The arrests come amid a crackdown on foreign content creators. Recently, the BI deported Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for “undesirable acts” in Bonifacio Global City.