BI arrests Estonian vlogger for harassing Filipino locals
The Bureau of Immigration has arrested a vlogger from Estonia after he was caught harassing Filipino locals during his visit.
The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Siim Roosipuu, who was arrested on Jan. 15 by BI intelligence operatives and an anti-terrorism unit, with assistance from the Dumaguete City Police Station and Barangay Cantil-e officials.
Roosipuu, who runs a YouTube channel called "Pro Life Traveler," was accused by residents of harassment through offensive remarks and unauthorized filming.
"The Philippines is not a content playground. We welcome tourists and legitimate creators, but anyone who exploits our people for views, clicks, or profit will face arrest, deportation, and blacklisting," BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
The vlogger has now been declared persona non grata in Negros Oriental. To be declared as persona non grata means that Roosipuu is no longer welcome within the local government unit, but this does not mean that he will be prevented or arrested while visiting the area.
In an interview with the media, Roosipuu has now expressed regret over his actions, reasoning that he is still "learning" to be a vlogger.
"I'm learning to be a vlogger, and it's normal to make mistakes. I just want to be a better vlogger, but along the way, I've done mistakes. I've said some things," he said.
"I really regret it, but it's just a process of learning to become better. And I always want to be better. I don't want to offend nobody. It's just an accident. If somebody was offended, I'm very sorry about this," he added.
Roosipuu asserted that it was never his intention to harm anybody and that his goal was always to "explore and connect with the locals."
His attorney Rommel Erames, meanwhile, told the media that Roosipuu now wants to go home and that he is actually married to a Filipina.
"I told him na mag-cooperate na lang so that the process will be faster for his deportation so that he can go back to his home country, which is Estonia," Erames said.
He also explained that his client is not facing a criminal case and that the issue has now been settled.
This is not the first time a foreign vlogger drew the attention of Philippine authorities for inappropriate behavior toward locals.
YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was also arrested after he was seen messing around with Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City by riding a patrol motorcycle, stealing a security guard’s cap multiple times, and playing petty pranks with passersby in his Kick video titled "Vitaly disturbing the peace in the Philippines" with a devil emoji. He also forcibly filmed a security guard who called him out for it. Vitaly then mocked the latter by singing some lines from Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi.
He has now been deported to Russia. (with reports from Bella Cariaso)
