The Bureau of Immigration has arrested a 21-year-old Russian vlogger who went viral on social media after posting videos that threatened the deliberate spread of HIV while in the Philippines.
In a statement on Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the foreign national as Nikita Chekhov, who was arrested inside a condominium building in Quezon City.
Chekhov entered the country as a tourist on January 15. Shortly after his arrival, he uploaded videos filmed at Bonifacio High Street, where he claimed he intended to spread HIV during his stay in the country.
The videos, believed to have been created as so-called rage bait content, drew concern from residents and online users.
Immigration records showed that Chekhov is a native of Taganrog and arrived in the Philippines from Shanghai.
“These so-called rage-bait videos irresponsibly cause fear and panic among the public,” 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,” he added.
Chekhov is now detained at the BI facility while deportation proceedings are underway. The bureau said the action is consistent with measures taken against other foreign nationals involved in undesirable acts in the country.
The arrest follows the recent deportation of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for acts committed in Bonifacio Global City, and the arrest of Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu, who was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City over videos involving minors.
