MALACAÑANG confirmed that six Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel were removed from their posts over alleged unauthorized privileges granted to Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy during his detention.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said one BI warden submitted a courtesy resignation that was accepted, while two deputy wardens were dismissed. Three other BI employees were also terminated in connection with the issue.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested in April 2025 for disruptive behavior, including harassing a security guard and commandeering a tricycle. He was later declared an undesirable alien and deported to Russia on January 17.
While in custody, Zdorovetskiy claimed he had unrestricted cellphone access and raised allegations of corruption within the BI, triggering an internal review.
Castro clarified that cellphone use is strictly limited and does not allow video recording.
“Ang pagbibigay po at pag-a-allow ng paggamit ng cellphone ay para makausap lamang ang kanilang pamilya. At hindi po allowed na sila ay gumawa ng anumang video. Ang paggawa po ng video ng nasabing Russian vlogger ay hindi po naaayon sa rules at ito po ay walang authority o hindi awtorisado ng nasabing facility (Cellphone use is allowed when has to make a call to his family. He was not allowed to make any videos. Making videos by the said Russian vlogger was against the rules and not authorized by the facility),” she said.
She added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a comprehensive investigation.
“Alam naman po ng bawat ahensiya…na nais ng Pangulo na malinis ang gobyernong ito mula sa korapsyon… Kung mahal nila ang kanilang trabaho at mahal nila ang bayan, sundin lamang po nila ang utos ng Pangulo (Every agency head and employee knows that the President wants this government free from corruption… If they value their jobs and their country, they must follow the President’s order),” Castro said.
The Palace said further sanctions or possible reshuffling of officials will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.