Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday presented two foreign vloggers arrested for mocking and misrepresenting the Philippines in their online content.
At a press conference at Camp Crame, Remulla identified one of those arrested as 34-year-old Siim Roosipuu of Estonia, who was taken into custody on 15 January. Roosipuu runs the YouTube channel “Pro Life Traveler,” which drew criticism for content that allegedly harassed locals. Social media reports showed videos in which he chased people and asked highly inappropriate questions, including to underage women, triggering widespread condemnation in Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City. He was later declared persona non grata in Dumaguete.
The second arrest involved 21-year-old Russian vlogger Nikita Chekhov, who went viral for threatening to deliberately spread HIV while in the Philippines. Chekhov was arrested inside a condominium building in Quezon City.
Chekhov arrived in the country as a tourist on 15 January. Shortly after, he uploaded videos filmed at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City, where he made alarming claims about spreading HIV during his stay. The videos, widely believed to be “rage bait,” sparked public concern and fear.
His arrest came days after the deportation of another Russian vlogger, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, for committing undesirable acts in Bonifacio Global City.
Chekhov is a native of Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia, and arrived in the Philippines from Shanghai, China. Authorities said he has no known relatives in the country.