Filistovič was born into a large farming family in the village of Paniacičy, Wilejka county, Wilno Voivodeship of the Second Polish Republic (nowadays, Viliejka district, Minsk region of Belarus).

[1][2] To avoid deportation to Germany as an Ostarbeiter, Filistovič joined the Belarusian Auxiliary Police in 1943 but was not involved in any wartime atrocities.

[1][2] After three months of training at the Kaufberen base near Munich, Filistovič was parachuted by the US airforce in the Viliejka district on in September 1951.

"Our ... goal is to defend the pure, passionate, feelings of love for the Fatherland inherent in the Belarusian youth.

We aimed to preserve in the hearts of our youth valuable... elements, helping them to find strength, harden and dedicate themselves to their homeland.