DILG: Detained Russian vlogger may face more charges

QUEZON CITY — Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy might face additional charges, aside from the three counts of unjust vexation filed against him.

Zdorovetskiy, who has been detained for two months, was also initially charged with theft but the Taguig Prosecutor's Office dismissed the said charges. 

The fiscal’s officer, however, found “sufficient evidence on record to establish a reasonable certainty of conviction for the crime of unjust vexation.” 

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) suggests more charges may be filed stemming from a series of videos showing the vlogger harassing individuals, including elderly people and security guards in a mall and restaurant in Taguig last March.

“Well, in the series of videos that he had, it is more than three cases of unjust vexation eh. Meron pa siyang mga motorsiklo, meron siyang hinarass na matanda, meron siyang hinalikan na sa security guard. So, if you look at the sum total of what he posted, it is really more than 3. parang naghahanda pa ang prosecution ng a couple of more cases para sa kanya,” said Remulla.

“After investigation ng prosecution, may marami pang lumabas na ibang witness. So inaalam na lang nila. Ine-examine nila yung merits ng case at they are about to file it, I think,” he added.

Zdorovetskiy’s legal counsel Atty. Baby Arcega said her client seeks forgiveness from those he offended.

“So he was really not doing well before, um, nung nag-visit ako one time, before he was able to say hi, he just started crying and couldn't stop, stop crying.

He's now better kasi, kasi he's found his faith, nagbabasa na siya ng Bible,” said Arcega.

“We are a Christian nation. We believe in forgiveness and I hope na dumating tayo doon because this guy is really a changed guy and he wants to seek forgiveness,” she added.

Meanwhile, a petition for bail was also filed by Zdorovetskiy’s legal camp.

“So we already filed a petition for bail. We are hoping and praying that the Bureau of Immigration would grant that. Um, if that's granted, then we can also post bail, um, para doon sa court,” said Arcega.

But Secretary Remulla believes otherwise.

“Ah personally, talagang hindi dapat. Pangalawa, dapat makonsensya naman yung mga abogado niya. Sinusubukan na lang suhulan yung mga witness para mag-recant ng testimony nila. Tapos ngayon magpe-petition for bail sila. Parang mali naman yata yun, 'di ba?”

If found guilty, Zdorovetskiy could face up to 18 months imprisonment in the Philippines.