‘India needs to do the same’: Internet reacts as Philippines arrest ‘racist’ vloggers

The Philippines has taken a hard stance against foreign vloggers after a recent incident involving racist comments and public disturbances. This crackdown has sparked a lively conversation, with some advocating for India to implement similar policies.

A debate started online over how countries deal with foreign content creators accused of making racist or offensive videos, after the Philippines took strong action against several vloggers. The discussion has also drawn attention to similar controversies involving influencers filming content in India.In the Philippines, authorities recently arrested two foreign vloggers and publicly warned that the country would no longer be a “content playground”. Their Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government would apply the law strictly against foreigners who cause public nuisance, invade privacy or harass locals.

Monkey gestures

One of those arrested was an Estonian vlogger, identified in reports as 34-year-old Siim Roosipuu. He was detained in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental earlier this week. Local officials accused him of harassing people in public spaces, chasing locals for reactions and making racist remarks. In several videos filmed in markets and on streets, he referred to Filipino men, including tricycle drivers, as looking or acting like “monkeys”, and also made monkey sounds and gestures. He was also accused of overstaying his visa. The Dumaguete City Council later officially banned him from the city.

Spreading HIV?

Another arrest involved a 21-year-old Russian vlogger, Nikita Chekhov, who was detained in Quezon City this week. He went viral after posting videos claiming he had come to the Philippines to “spread HIV”. Authorities said he later tested negative and admitted the claim was clickbait. He was charged with causing public alarm and nuisance. Both men were presented at the same media briefing by Remulla, following the recent deportation of prank YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy earlier in January, who was sent because of harassing locals and performing dangerous stunts for his videos.

Should India adopt a similar approach?

A viral video summarising these events praised the Philippines for “standing on business” and asked whether other countries should follow suit. The clip said that laws penalising racist remarks, harassment and privacy violations by foreign creators were long overdue. Many social media users responded by saying India should adopt a similar approach.

‘Packed with Indians’ comment by Japanese YouTuber

The reaction comes amid recent controversies involving vloggers filming content in India. One incident involved a Japanese YouTuber known as Ikechan, who faced backlash after posting about an Air India flight earlier this month. In her vlog and on X, she wrote: “Taking the notoriously bad Air India for my first-ever trip to India!! The plane is packed with Indians.” The comment went viral, with many users accusing her of making a racially insensitive remark by using the nationality of passengers in derogatory terms and framing it negatively.

‘Poop throwing’ festival

Another row erupted over American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira, who filmed content at the Gorehabba festival in Gumatapura, Karnataka last year. The festival, held after Diwali, involves villagers throwing dried cow dung as part of a local tradition. Oliveira posted clips captioned, “Happy Diwali! Yes, I went to India’s poop throwing festival.” The Internet accused him of mocking Indian culture and portraying the ritual as bizarre. Oliveira responded by saying, “It isn’t racist to film a poop-throwing festival,” but the backlash continued online.

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