The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday said Russian vlogger Nikita Chekhov, known online as “@mrjxxxx,” tested negative for HIV, dismissing his controversial social media posts as “rage-bait” meant to provoke public fear and boost online engagement.

Chekhov was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) and immediately subjected to medical examination in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest and testing were carried out swiftly under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for strong interagency cooperation to protect public safety and curb misinformation.

Viado said he personally coordinated with DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, who deployed government medical personnel to conduct Chekhov’s tests early Thursday.

The foreigner was confirmed nonreactive for HIV, Viado said, adding that Chekhov was also tested for other related illnesses, all of which yielded negative results.

Viado noted findings validated the BI’s initial assessment that Chekhov’s alarming online claims were fabricated to generate outrage and online traffic.

“He now faces deportation charges for undesirability, as his social media posts caused fear and panic among the public,” Viado said, stressing that the BI will continue working with other agencies against foreign nationals who abuse Philippine laws.

Meanwhile, Viado also addressed separate viral posts by blacklisted Russian national Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who uploaded a video describing conditions at the BI Warden Facility (BIWF) as “inhumane.”

In the video, Zdorovetskiy complained about the food served—claiming detainees were given tuna and rice daily—and the use of a tabo for bathing. He also alleged that pregnant women and children were being detained at the facility.

Viado categorically denied the claims, saying there are no pregnant women or children held at the BIWF and calling the video “false and misleading.”

“These videos are again rage-bait, using familiar tactics to generate views and online engagement,” he said.

Viado disclosed that the BI investigated how Zdorovetskiy obtained a mobile phone to record the video. 

He said raids were conducted inside the facility around June or July last year, leading to the confiscation of smuggled gadgets.

“By November, personnel found to be remiss in their duties were identified and removed from their posts,” Viado said.

A prior BI report also revealed that another foreign detainee, Malik Dejoun Okojie—who appeared in Zdorovetskiy’s video—had smuggled mobile phones into the facility through supplies delivered by his Filipina wife.

“Zdorovetskiy, who we consider as an undesirable alien, continues to post rage-bait content to generate income from Filipinos online,” Viado said. 

“Regardless of these posts, he remains permanently barred from returning to the Philippines due to his violations,” he added.