Malacañang confirmed that three Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials have been dismissed following revelations that deported Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy managed to record videos while under detention before being sent back to his home country.
“Because of that, marami po ang natanggal. Tatlo po ang natanggal na immigration officials because of that, at marami pong na-confiscate na mga cellphones,” Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated during a press briefing on Thursday.
Castro explained that an investigation is underway to determine how Zdorovetskiy was able to gain access to recording devices inside the detention facility.
She noted that further sanctions may be imposed if more lapses are uncovered.
“Pero kung mayroon pa pong iba na maaaring masabi natin na nagkakaroon ng kakulangan ay paiimbestigahan pa po ito at kailangan matanggal ang dapat na matanggal sa posisyon kung mayroong pang-aabuso,” she added.
According to Castro, the videos were apparently filmed during the early stage of Zdorovetskiy’s detention.
Zdorovetskiy, known for controversial pranks and harassment of Filipinos for social media content, was arrested last year.
He was deported to Russia on January 17 and has since been blacklisted by the BI from re-entering the Philippines.