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Vlogger Claims 'Money Talks' In BI Detention - Officials Resign
Photo credit: Vitaly Zdorovetskiy Twitter
Several senior officials at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have stepped down after a controversial Russian vlogger claimed he was able to film inside a Philippine detention facility — prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order a full investigation, Malacañang said.
The resignations came after Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a Russian-American YouTube personality, claimed he was able to use a mobile phone to record videos during his time in BI custody and planned to “expose the corruption” he saw inside the facility.
Warden Resigns; Deputies Step Down
The warden of the Bureau of Immigration’s detention facilities submitted his resignation, and two deputy wardens also stepped down amid the controversy, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed.
Castro said officials explained that while detainees are generally allowed limited phone access to contact family or lawyers, filming videos inside the facility was not permitted and that Zdorovetskiy’s content was unauthorized.
President Orders Deep Investigation
President Marcos has directed a thorough investigation into the incident to determine whether there were lapses or misconduct within BI detention operations.
Authorities conducted inspections at BI detention facilities in Taguig City and Muntinlupa City, seizing contraband items such as unauthorized smartphones, gadgets, and other prohibited materials.
Castro emphasized that the government will act on any evidence of wrongdoing.
Vlogger’s Claims and Aftermath
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy — known online for prank and stunt videos — was detained in the Philippines in April 2025 after he was arrested for alleged harassment during a livestream. He was later deported to Russia in January 2026 after nearly nine months in custody.
In a livestream earlier this month, he claimed he had a phone throughout his detention and planned to release videos exposing corruption and mistreatment inside the BI facility.
“I had a phone the whole time in jail. I vlogged the whole experience. I’m going to expose the corruption,” he said. “Bro, you can do anything. Money talks in the Philippines.”
The Immigration Commissioner called Zdorovetskiy’s claims “rage-baits,” saying the viral videos appeared designed for online attention rather than accurate reporting, but acknowledged that the situation raised serious questions about internal facility controls.
Next Steps
The ongoing probe aims to identify if BI policies were violated and whether further disciplinary or criminal charges should be filed against personnel found to have aided detainees or smuggled contraband inside detention centers.
Malacañang also stressed that detainees should not be able to film or create content while in custody, and that authorities will tighten regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The resignations came after Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a Russian-American YouTube personality, claimed he was able to use a mobile phone to record videos during his time in BI custody and planned to “expose the corruption” he saw inside the facility.
Warden Resigns; Deputies Step Down
The warden of the Bureau of Immigration’s detention facilities submitted his resignation, and two deputy wardens also stepped down amid the controversy, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed.
Castro said officials explained that while detainees are generally allowed limited phone access to contact family or lawyers, filming videos inside the facility was not permitted and that Zdorovetskiy’s content was unauthorized.
President Orders Deep Investigation
President Marcos has directed a thorough investigation into the incident to determine whether there were lapses or misconduct within BI detention operations.
Authorities conducted inspections at BI detention facilities in Taguig City and Muntinlupa City, seizing contraband items such as unauthorized smartphones, gadgets, and other prohibited materials.
Castro emphasized that the government will act on any evidence of wrongdoing.
Vlogger’s Claims and Aftermath
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy — known online for prank and stunt videos — was detained in the Philippines in April 2025 after he was arrested for alleged harassment during a livestream. He was later deported to Russia in January 2026 after nearly nine months in custody.
In a livestream earlier this month, he claimed he had a phone throughout his detention and planned to release videos exposing corruption and mistreatment inside the BI facility.
“I had a phone the whole time in jail. I vlogged the whole experience. I’m going to expose the corruption,” he said. “Bro, you can do anything. Money talks in the Philippines.”
The Immigration Commissioner called Zdorovetskiy’s claims “rage-baits,” saying the viral videos appeared designed for online attention rather than accurate reporting, but acknowledged that the situation raised serious questions about internal facility controls.
Next Steps
The ongoing probe aims to identify if BI policies were violated and whether further disciplinary or criminal charges should be filed against personnel found to have aided detainees or smuggled contraband inside detention centers.
Malacañang also stressed that detainees should not be able to film or create content while in custody, and that authorities will tighten regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Jan 26, 2026
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