RUSSIAN vlogger Nikita Chekhov has tested negative for HIV, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday, following medical examinations conducted in coordination with the Department of Health.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Chekhov underwent testing on Thursday and was found nonreactive for HIV and other related illnesses.
“All results were negative,” Viado said, confirming that the 21-year-old foreigner does not carry the virus.
Chekhov was arrested on Wednesday in Quezon City after going viral for posting videos threatening to deliberately spread HIV while in the Philippines.
The test results, Viado said, support the bureau’s belief that the posts were intended as “rage-bait” to provoke fear and gain online attention.
The BI has initiated deportation proceedings against Chekhov for being an undesirable alien whose actions caused public alarm.
Viado also dismissed claims by another blacklisted Russian, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who posted videos alleging inhumane conditions at the BI Warden Facility. He said there are no pregnant women or children detained there and that the allegations were misleading.
An internal investigation led to the confiscation of smuggled gadgets and the removal of personnel found negligent, Viado added.
