JANUARY 22, 2026 — A 22-year-old Russian national thought it was funny to walk around Bonifacio Global City, curse, and announce on TikTok that he would spread HIV in the Philippines. The Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit didn’t find it amusing. By Wednesday afternoon, January 21, they tracked him down in a Quezon City condominium and arrested him. 

According to BI-FSU chief Rendel Sy, the foreigner had only arrived in the country on January 15. He now faces booking and documentation before being sent to the BI Warden’s Facility, with deportation on the table if no criminal records are found.

But why do some foreigners feel entitled to mock Filipinos on our own soil? Where do they find the gall to do so? 

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such brazen disrespect, after all. Remember Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who was jailed in the Philippines for 290 days after pulling a reckless stunt in Makati? He was eventually freed — he was deported back to Russia just a few days ago on January 17 — but the incident left a sour taste. Now another Russian comes in, casually threatening to “spread HIV” as if Filipinos are props in his social media circus.

Should we just shrug this off as another viral gimmick? Or should we demand accountability and send a clear message that the Philippines is not a playground for reckless foreigners chasing clout? 

If we let this slide, what’s next — more dangerous stunts, more insults, more threats to public safety? The danger isn’t just in the act itself, but in the normalization of disrespect. Every time we allow this, we risk telling the world that Filipinos can be mocked without consequence.

This is not about being overly sensitive. It’s about dignity, safety, and respect. We welcome visitors, but we will not tolerate arrogance disguised as “content.” The Philippines deserves better than being treated as a backdrop for cheap viral fame.

How many more arrogant foreigners do we need to arrest before respect finally sinks in? Or should we just roll out the red carpet for clout-chasing tourists who think Filipinos are their punchline?

(Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Immigration)