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BI Nabs Russian Tourist Over HIV Threat
Photo credit: BI
Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit have arrested a 21-year-old Russian vlogger who went viral after posting disturbing videos in which he threatened to deliberately spread HIV while in the Philippines.
The arrest follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to crack down on foreign nationals who abuse the country’s hospitality and put public safety at risk.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the vlogger as Nikita Chekhov, who was apprehended inside a condominium building in Quezon City.
Chekhov entered the Philippines as a tourist on January 15. Just days later, he uploaded videos filmed around Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, where he made alarming statements claiming he planned to spread HIV during his stay. The clips quickly circulated online, triggering fear and outrage among netizens and residents.
Authorities believe the videos were meant as “rage-bait” content—provocative posts designed to stir anger and attention—but officials said the impact was no joke.
The arrest comes on the heels of other recent actions against foreign vloggers, including the deportation of Russian content creator Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for undesirable acts in Bonifacio Global City, and the arrest of Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu, who was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City over disrespectful content involving minors.
Chekhov, a native of Taganrog in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, arrived in the Philippines from Shanghai, China. Immigration records show he has no known relatives in the country.
“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.”
Chekhov is currently being held at the BI detention facility while deportation proceedings are underway. The Bureau has also coordinated the case with the Department of Health as part of its response.
The arrest follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to crack down on foreign nationals who abuse the country’s hospitality and put public safety at risk.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the vlogger as Nikita Chekhov, who was apprehended inside a condominium building in Quezon City.
Chekhov entered the Philippines as a tourist on January 15. Just days later, he uploaded videos filmed around Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, where he made alarming statements claiming he planned to spread HIV during his stay. The clips quickly circulated online, triggering fear and outrage among netizens and residents.
Authorities believe the videos were meant as “rage-bait” content—provocative posts designed to stir anger and attention—but officials said the impact was no joke.
The arrest comes on the heels of other recent actions against foreign vloggers, including the deportation of Russian content creator Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for undesirable acts in Bonifacio Global City, and the arrest of Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu, who was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City over disrespectful content involving minors.
Chekhov, a native of Taganrog in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, arrived in the Philippines from Shanghai, China. Immigration records show he has no known relatives in the country.
“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.”
Chekhov is currently being held at the BI detention facility while deportation proceedings are underway. The Bureau has also coordinated the case with the Department of Health as part of its response.
Jan 22, 2026
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