Russian vlogger tested negative for HIV

A Russian vlogger who was arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday, 21 January, has tested negative for HIV.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said he immediately coordinated with Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, who deployed medical personnel for the subject’s prompt testing.

Nikita Chekhov was tested Thursday morning by government medical personnel, who confirmed that he was nonreactive for HIV.

“He was likewise tested for other related illnesses, all of which yielded negative results,” Viado said.

The test results confirm the BI’s initial suspicion that Chekhov’s social media posts were rage-bait, intended to provoke fear and gain online traction.

Viado assured the public that the BI continues to work closely with other government agencies to ensure that foreign nationals who abuse Philippine laws and cause public alarm are dealt with accordingly.

“He now faces deportation charges for undesirability, as his social media posts caused fear and panic among the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, Viado addressed recent social media posts by blacklisted Russian national Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who uploaded a video complaining about conditions inside the BI Warden Facility, which he described as “inhumane.”

In the video, the undesirable alien complained about the food served at the facility, claiming they eat tuna and rice daily, and about using a tabo for bathing. He also alleged that pregnant women and children were being held inside the facility.

Viado clarified that there are no pregnant women or children held at the BI Warden Facility, stressing that the claims are false and misleading.

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

The BI Commissioner further disclosed that an investigation was conducted regarding Zdorovetskiy’s access to a mobile phone used to record the video.

“The incident occurred around June or July. We immediately conducted raids inside the facility, which resulted in the confiscation of gadgets that had been smuggled into the compound,” Viado said. “By November, personnel found to be remiss in their duties were identified and removed from their posts.”

A prior report from BIWF personnel also showed that another foreign national, Malik Dejoun Okojie, who appeared with Zdorovetskiy in the video, had smuggled mobile phones concealed in supplies brought in by his Filipina wife.

“Zdorovetskiy, who we consider as an undesirable alien, continues to post rage-bait content to generate income from Filipinos online. Regardless of these posts, he remains permanently barred from returning to the Philippines due to his violations,” Viado said.