Malacañang on Monday said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities at a Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention facility after Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy claimed he was allowed to use a mobile phone while in custody, alleging corruption within the system.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the BI had explained that detainees may be temporarily allowed to use mobile phones solely to communicate with their families, but stressed that recording or posting videos from inside the facility is strictly prohibited.
“The making of the video by the Russian vlogger was not in accordance with the rules and was unauthorized by the facility,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
The Palace Press Officer said the President has since directed a deeper investigation into the matter.
She said three BI officials, a detention warden, and two deputy wardens have either been removed from their posts or had their courtesy resignations accepted. Three other immigration employees had earlier been dismissed, bringing the total number of personnel removed to six.
“All agency heads and government workers know that the President wants a clean government… Those who do not comply with this directive risk losing their positions,” Castro said.
She added that the administration remains firm on its anti-corruption stance and warned government employees against violating the President’s directive to keep public service free from graft.
Asked whether the government still has legal recourse against the Russian vlogger, who is now abroad, Castro said the Palace’s priority is to correct what it described as unverified allegations while using any further claims as possible leads in the investigation.
“If he has more revelations, these can serve as a guide so the investigation can be conducted properly… If there is widespread corruption in the agency, those violating the law must be removed,” Castro said.
She also said the BI is continuing its investigation into possible abuses inside its detention facilities, even as she dismissed the vlogger’s credibility, describing him as someone who had previously disparaged the country for attention.
Asked whether the Palace is satisfied with the resignations and removals or if criminal charges could follow, the PCO official said filing cases remains an option should evidence point to abuse or corruption.
“If the evidence shows wrongdoing, it should be investigated,” Castro said.
She added that any possible reshuffle within the BI would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and on determining who was responsible for the alleged abuses.
