Video: Vlogger gets flak for coronavirus 'prank'

A local politician called his stunt a "grave public scandal' that he could be prosecuted for.

A Filipino vlogger was arrested after he pretended to fall unconscious while wearing a face mask - amid novel coronavirus fears - as a 'prank'.
According to Coconuts, vlogger Marlon de Vera was arrested after pulling the stunt at Yahsano Mall in Legazpi City, Albay.

After collapsing onto the floor and giving a few sickly twitches, the video shows him quickly getting back up, doing a few stretches and taking off his mask.
Mall administration has said they interrogated de Vera, upon which the vlogger admitted that it was all just a prank. The mall decided not to press charges as de Vera apologized for his stunt. 
Though the original clip was taken down, several YouTube accounts re-uploaded the clip, where it drew the ire of netizens, who criticized de Vera for preying on people's fear amid the coronavirus outbreak.
City Councilor Vince Baltazar even said that the prank could even be considered a grave public scandal under the Philippines' Revised Penal Code.

• Philippines