3 BI personnel resign after Russian vlogger films detention content

A warden of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) stepped down from his post after officials found that Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was able to film content while in detention.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Monday that Malacañang accepted the courtesy resignation of a BI warden and removed two deputies following the incident.

“We spoke directly with BI leadership, and they said that allowing detainees to use phones was meant only for contacting their families. Filming content was not allowed, and the vlogger’s video was unauthorized and had no approval from the facility,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

She added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a deeper investigation into the matter.

“Following the President’s directive for a thorough investigation, we accepted the courtesy resignations of three BI personnel—one warden and two deputies,” Castro said.

After his deportation, Zdorovetskiy took to social media to recount his experience in a Philippine detention facility.

In an Instagram post and a livestream with American online personality Adin Ross, the controversial vlogger claimed he filmed his experience after bribing jail guards and smuggling a mobile phone into his cell.

In response, the BI conducted raids last week at its detention facilities in Taguig City and Muntinlupa City. The operations yielded various contraband, including unauthorized cash, smartphones, gadgets, electronic devices, cigarettes and e-cigarettes, knives, and other sharp objects.

Further, the BI said that another foreigner could have sneaked mobile phones into the detention facility, which led to the recent raids into the detention facilities. 

“Doon po sa period ng post ni Vitaly, it happened po around siguro June or July. Nakita sa video na ‘yun na may kasama siyang foreign national at nung nakita po yung report about the foreign national, he has been previously involved sa pagpupuslit po ng mga gadgets po papasok ng facility,” said BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval on “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.” 

(During the period of Vitaly's post, it happened around perhaps June or July. It was seen in that video that he was with a foreign national, and based on the report about that foreign national, [it showed] that he has been previously involved in bringing gadgets into the facility.) 

“Although deported na po siya nung time  po na ‘yun na nandoon po siya, nahuli po siya na nagpupuslit po through the assistance of his Filipino wife, na nagsisilid po ng mga cellphone, mga kung ano-ano pong paraphernalia papasok po ng pasilidad,” she added. 

(Although he had already been deported by the time he was there, he was caught smuggling through the assistance of his Filipino wife, who was hiding cellphones and various other paraphernalia to bring inside the facility.) 

Malacañang earlier said three immigration personnel were relieved from their posts due to the incident.

Castro said the government cannot comment on Zdorovetskiy’s allegations but can correct misinformation.

“At this time, we can only address and correct his claims,” she said.

She added that any further revelations from the vlogger could help guide the investigation. “If there is widespread corruption in the agency, those who break the law must be removed,” she said.

Castro also said cases may be filed against erring personnel, and a reshuffle within the BI may be possible.

“If there are corruption issues, they must be investigated. Government employees who want to remain in service must follow the President’s directive and avoid corruption,” she added.

Zdorovetskiy was earlier arrested for allegedly harassing people for online content. He was later deported to Russia and blacklisted from returning to the Philippines.—MCG, GMA Integrated News