Let’s stand up against bullies, Marcos says of ‘crazy’ vlogger Vitaly

Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy —File photo by Richard A. Reyes | Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that his administration would not tolerate foreign vloggers who cause trouble and disrespect Filipinos merely for the sake of content.

This assurance came after the arrest of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who allegedly harassed Filipinos while filming in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

READ: Remulla: No special treatment for Russian vlogger

The president, apparently shocked by the “pranks” carried out by the foreign content creator, described the latter as “crazy.”

“This person is out of his mind,” Marcos said in his vlog in Filipino. “He’s not Filipino. Can I curse at him?” he added.

Marcos expressed disappointment over how vloggers who cause trouble, annoy, and disrespect others to gain followers had become a part of social media.

‘Not Filipino way’

“Let’s not adopt that kind of behavior. It’s not the Filipino way,” he said in Filipino.

“You can expect that those who do such things will not be allowed to continue doing them,” Marcos added.

READ: Guards file unjust vexation raps vs Russian vlogger in viral stunt

The president also highlighted the kindness and respect inherent in Filipinos but stressed that these values were being exploited.

“It’s natural for us to just laugh it off and not make a big deal out of this kind of disrespect, but that doesn’t mean our government will let this slide,” he said.

“We should stand up against bullies, and you have the government’s support to deal with such people. Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson to those who try to come to the Philippines to insult and make a mockery of our fellow citizens,” he also said.