Hi, My Name Is...58

Foreigners are very important to the Philippine economy. Tourists bring in millions if not billions in revenue. Most foreign tourists have a good time and then go home. Some foreign tourists have a bad time and go home. Others never go home. 

Hi, my name is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy. I am a very popular live streamer who travels around making a nuisance of himself. In Miami I punched a woman in the face one time. We settled out of court though. I also donated 20 thousand dollars to charity and that makes a nice guy. So what if I had a little fun messing with Filipinos in BGC? It was all in fun and plus I donated money to charity before so that makes it all right. Now I am facing up to two decades in prison. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/271431/russian-vlogger-faces-deportation-after-harassing-filipinos-in-bgc

A Russian vlogger who drew the public’s ire for harassing Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is now under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) pending his deportation.

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, 33, was arrested and is now under custody in the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa following his controversial livestream, which went viral on April 1.

In the livestream, Zdorovetskiy was seen grabbing a security guard’s hat, attempting to seize the gun of another security guard, and threatening to rob a woman.

“Harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society, and we will take swift action against offenders,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement on Thursday.

“Our laws exist to protect the welfare of Filipinos. Let this serve as a reminder that while we welcome visitors, those who fail to respect our people and our laws will face the consequences,” he warned.

Zdorovetskiy, sporting a smile in his mugshot, is now an “undesirable foreign national” in the country.

He has over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, where he uploads mostly prank videos.

“The Philippines welcomes visitors from all over the world, but those who abuse our hospitality and violate our laws will be held accountable,” Viado said.

Hi, my name is Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund and I am Swedish. I have only been in the Filipinas for a few weeks, since March 18th, 2025. I was facing prosecution for very serious crimes back in my homeland so I thought why not fly a few thousand miles away to paradise where I will never be found? Ah but they found me! 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247424

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Swedish national wanted in his home country for two counts of child rape.

In a press briefing on Thursday, the NBI presented Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund who was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Operatives of the NBI -- Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) and the Bureau of Immigration – Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) conducted the operation against Berglund based on information received from the Swedish Police Authority through the Homeland Security Investigations.

The fugitive is facing offenses of Rape of a Child, Preparation to Rape of a Child (Chapter 6, Section 4), Gross Sexual Assault of a Child (Chapter 6, Section 6) and Child Pornography Offense (Chapter 16, Section 10a), under the Swedish Criminal Code.

Berglund, who was also previously suspected of raping a 10-year-old child in Sweden in 2021 and has previous convictions for serious financial fraud in 2009 and 2003, arrived in the Philippines on March 18.

Hi, my name is Henry Watkins. No only have I overstayed my visa in the Philippines but on February 26th a court in Iowa issued a warrant for my arrest for drug trafficking. They say I have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. I am also an enforcer for the Devil's Disciples motorcycle gang in Chicago. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/23/american-fugitive-arrested-in-albay-bi

An American fugitive who is believed to have ties with the Sinaloa drug cartel and wanted in the United States (US) for alleged drug trafficking has been arrested in Albay by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

American Henry Watkins, 51, was arrested in Polangui, Albay by operates of the BI's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), the BI said in a statement.

Published reports stated that the Sinaloa drug cartel "is one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world.".

“We cannot allow the Philippines to be used as a sanctuary for foreigners involved in illegal drugs,” declared BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado. 

"Watkins will be deported for overstaying and for being an undesirable alien,” Viado said. 

The BI said the arrest of Watkins was done in coordination with the US government which sought the arrest of the fugitive.

“Authorities confirmed that Watkins is on the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wanted list due to his alleged ties to the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel in Central America,” it said.   

“A District Court in Northern Iowa issued a warrant for Watkin's arrest on February 26, charging him with large-scale drug trafficking and the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin,” it added.

It noted that “Watkins is also known for using violence to collect drug proceeds and allegedly serves as an enforcer for the ‘Devil’s Disciples’ motorcycle gang in Chicago, Illinois.”  

Watkins is now detained at the BI's facility in Taguig City pending his deportation. 

Hi, my name is Manuel Masalva. I am an actor who starred in Narcos: Mexico. Between acting jobs I decided to take a holiday in the Philippines. Afterwards I flew to Dubai where I immediately became sick and was placed in a medically induced coma. The reason is I contracted a bacterial infection while in the Philippines. The Secretary of Health has been extremely helpful by telling everyone not to panic because its treatable by antibiotics. 

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/604676/narcos-mexico-star-manuel-masalvas-bacterial-infection-not-a-cause-of-panic-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said reports of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ actor Manuel Masalva‘s hospitalization in Dubai due to an “aggressive bacterial infection” after a trip to the Philippines should not cause public panic.

According to DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the agency first wondered what kind of bacteria the actor contacted as not all bacteria are “aggressive” and can cause illness.

(We are not discounting the fact that the celebrity contracted a disease, and according to his publicist, he got it from the Philippines. But I hope they say what particular bacteria that is and where he got it so we can act on it.)

Masalva is in a medically induced coma due to “aggressive bacterial infection.” According to the statement of his manager Jaime Espinosa to the LA Times, he is currently in a critical but stable condition while under treatment at a hospital in Dubai.

The Mexican actor visited the Philippines before he flew and arrived in Dubai last March 18. Two days later, he suffered severe abdominal pain that resulted in his hospitalization. His friend, fellow actor Mario Moran, however, said Masalva is now in a stable condition but still in coma.

Meanwhile, Domingo also said that DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa directed the agency to contact the International Health Regulations (IHR) system of Dubai and Mexico. Domingo said that the IHR system identifies and notifies if there is an outbreak in a certain area, and the countries are mandated to inform one another of their assessment.

(It is up to the countries and of course to the patient on what it is, because sometimes, if a disease is not notifiable, it is not disclosed.)

(In simple words, what I am saying is for the public to not panic because if you read the news reports, they say that the antibiotics can treat what they found.)

According to his camp, Masalva’s doctor identified the type of bacteria and administered the appropriate antibiotic he needed. The manager also shared that “his respirator was lowered to 80%, which means that his lungs are reacting.”

Domingo further said the DOH also reached out to networks and health units of the actor’s tourist destination for their reports on the incident.

(I would like to assure everyone that we did not get a report of a similar case so far. And in fact, if there is a case, let’s say he swam when he had wounds, or he could get food poisoning from a restaurant.)

Hi, my name is Austine Chris Igbokwe. I was out at the bar when I went out to meet someone. I crossed the street and BANG!!!  Someone shot me. The suspects fled and I don't know why it happened. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/269491/nigerian-national-survives-shooting-in-cavite

A 39-year-old Nigerian national was wounded after he was shot by a still-unidentified gunman before midnight on Saturday, March 22, in Imus City in Cavite province.

The Region 4A police identified the victim in a report Sunday as Austine Chris Igbokwe, a resident of a subdivision in the locality.

Investigators said Igbokwe was crossing the street in Barangay Poblacion 4B at 11:35 p.m. to meet someone outside a bar when the gunman on board a black Toyota Altis sedan appeared and fired a single shot hitting the victim in his right thigh.

The suspects identified as “Hugo” and “Austin” fled after the shooting.

Rescuers rushed the victim to a hospital for treatment and now in stable condition.

The police launched a manhunt operation to arrest the suspects.

The report did not mention the possible motive behind the shooting incident.

Hi, my name is Michaela Mickova. I travelled to Boracay to attend the wedding of a friend. After the wedding I went out with a guy I met. Two days later I was found having been raped and murdered. But don't worry because the PNP says this is an isolated incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/13/slovakian-tourist-found-dead-in-boracay

A female Slovakian tourist was found dead at world-famous Boracay Island on March 12.

The Police Regional Office-6 has ordered a deeper probe on the death of Michaela Mickova.

“We will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators of the heinous crime against Michaela Mickova have been brought to justice,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director, in a statement on Thursday, March 13.

The 23-year-old Mickova was found dead two days after she was initially declared missing on March 10.

Her half-naked body was discovered in an abandoned chapel in Sitio Pinaungon, Barangay Balabag.

Initial investigation said the victim was stabbed in the stomach.

“We ask the community to extend full cooperation to our investigators and to say a prayer for Michaela Mickova and her family,” said Wanky, who inspected the crime scene.

“It is our foremost priority and goal to deliver justice to the family and loved ones of Michaela Mickova – a beloved daughter, a friend to many, and a young woman who has a passion for life,” added Wanky.

The Slovakian arrived in Boracay last March 1 and attended the wedding of her Filipina friend.

Hi, my name is being withheld but I am a Swiss national who went diving in Mindoro. The diving was good but afterwards I started experiencing shortness of breath. The Coast Guard was called and I was immediately evacuated to a hospital for further evaluation.  

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/24/swiss-diver-rescued-in-mindoro

A female Swiss diver who experienced breathing difficulties after engaging in a series of diving activities was rescued off Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Monday, March 24.

The PCG said the 30-year-old diver from Switzerland had just finished diving and was onboard the motorboat Gabriela Dive Safari in the vicinity waters off Sablayan town last March 22 when she complained of shortness of breath.

Personnel of the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Sablayan received a phone call about the situation and immediately deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to evacuate the patient.

The patient was turned over to the Sablayan municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO) for an assessment.

She was subsequently brought to the District Hospital of Sablayan for further medical treatment.

Hi, my name is Evan Ronald Berlin. I arrived in the Philippines in March 2023 and my visa expired in July 2023 which means I have been here illegally for years. Nobody cared much until March 9th, 2025 when I beat up someone inside a bar. He sustained physical injuries and lost consciousness. He claimed I sexually assaulted his wife. It turns out I also had a warrant issued against me in September 2024 by Makati City for causing physical injury to someone. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/21/bi-arrests-american-who-mauled-a-man-inside-a-makati-city-hotel

An American who mauled a man inside a Makati City hotel has been arrested and now faces deportation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, March 21.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the American as Evan Ronald Berlin, 31, who was arrested by operatives of the bureau's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) at his residence in Poblacion, Makati City last March 14.

“Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado warned.

“Berlin will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability,” he said.

He noted that during Berlin’s arrest it was discovered that the American arrived in the country on March 5, 2023 but his application for extension already expired on July 2023.

The BI disclosed that the American was arrested on the mission order issued by Viado who acted on a deportation complaint against Berlin.

“The case stemmed from allegations that Berlin beat the complainant inside a bar last March 9 which caused him to sustain physical injuries and lost consciousness,” it said.

“Berlin reportedly mauled the complainant after the latter confronted the American for sexually assaulting his wife,” it added.

Apart from this incident, the BI discovered “a warrant for Berlin’s arrest was issued by the Makati City metropolitan trial court on Sept. 13 last year due to a case for physical injury and violation of the Safe Space Act that was filed against him.”

The American is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Taguig City.

Hi, our names are Wolfgang Schlenker, Aldwin Fink, Anton Chernov, Terry, Alexander Radvanyl, and Torsten Martin Groschupp. We went out for a hike on Mt. Talinis one day when we got lost. After not hearing from us for hours authorities were called in and a search was made. Two of us, Alexander Radvanyl and Torsten Martin Groschupp, made it down the mountain and were rescued first. When the searchers caught up with the rest of us we were surprised that the two others were not with us. For three days we survived on whatever we could find. Thankfully we were given warm food and blankets by our rescuers. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246605

The four foreign hikers who got lost while hiking were rescued on Saturday morning in the mountainous village of Silab, Amlan, Negros Oriental.

The rescued hikers were identified as Germans Wolfgang Schlenker, 67, and Aldwin Fink, 60; Russian Anton Chernov, 38; and a Canadian national identified only as Terry, all residing in Valencia town.

They were separated from their two companions on their way to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park on Wednesday. The two were rescued Friday.

Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, told the Philippine News Agency that he dispatched two teams at daybreak to search for the four.

“The troops, accompanied by some civilian rescue volunteers, followed a creek until they came across the missing hikers at an area about one kilometer away from the hydropower plant in Barangay Silab around 9:45 in the morning,” Aquino said.

Three were ambulatory, while Chernov had to be carried on a stretcher as he showed signs of hypothermia and complained of knee pain.

The group was taken to a nearby hut, where they were given warm drinks, food and blankets.

Aquino said the foreigners survived for three days with whatever edible food they could find along the way.

Rescue vehicles and ambulances from the Amlan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office transported the hikers down the mountain around 11 a.m., and then brought to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City.

When interviewed, the foreigners said they were “shocked” to discover that their two other companions, Alexander Radvanyl, a 60-year-old British national, and Torsten Martin Groschupp, a 58-year-old German, were no longer with them.

Radvanyl and Groschupp were rescued on Friday afternoon somewhere in the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes vicinity where two residents found them.

Aquino said locating the hikers was challenging due to the vast expanse of the Mt. Talinis mountain range, which spans multiple towns.

Using GPS (global positioning system), Army troops were able to estimate the probable location of the four, based on information and photos provided by Radvanyl and Groschupp.

With no mobile or internet signal in the area, rescuers relied on hand-held radios for communication.

Hi, my name is Kim. At least that's my surname. I was standing outside a bank when a motorcycle rode up. The back rider attempted to snatch my bag but I resisted. So they shot me. I am not the first Korean to have been shot during a robbery in Angeles City. The last time this happened was in February 2014. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/273435/korean-tourist-shot-dead-during-robbery-in-angeles-city

A Korean national was shot and killed in broad daylight during a robbery along the bustling Korean Town area in Barangay Anunas on Sunday afternoon, April 20.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. released a statement Monday, condemning the incident and directing local authorities to resolve the case within 72 hours.

He instructed acting city police director Col. Joselito Villarosa Jr. to “exhaust all means necessary to swiftly identify and apprehend the suspect.”

Lazatin noted that the safety of both residents and local and foreign tourists remains a top priority for the city government.

According to initial police reports, the incident occurred at 1:50 p.m. along Fil-Am Friendship Highway, in front of a bank situated within the Korean Town area.

The victim, identified only by his surname Kim, was standing outside the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Friendship branch when two suspects on a Yamaha Nmax motorcycle approached.

The back rider reportedly attempted to snatch the victim’s bag. When Kim resisted, the assailant shot him in the torso before fleeing the scene with his accomplice. Kim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Witnesses described the suspects as wearing jackets, pants, helmets, and reflectorized vests. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of their ongoing pursuit.

Kim, reportedly of legal age, had been staying at the nearby Prism Hotel at the time of the incident.

The Angeles City government noted that this was the first recorded fatal robbery incident involving a Korean national in recent memory.

However, a similar case occurred on Feb. 18, 2014, when another Korean tourist was gunned down by motorcycle-riding suspects in the same village.

That victim, accompanied by three others, was also en route to the Prism Hotel when she was shot multiple times.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as efforts intensify to bring the perpetrators to justice.