Siargao, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has rounded up ten foreign nationals in popular surf destination Siargao, following a sweep of intelligence-driven operations carried out across the island on June 26, 2026.
What Happened
According to a press release from the Bureau of Immigration, the arrests came after local residents and business owners flagged foreigners allegedly breaking Philippine immigration laws. Operatives from the BI Intelligence Division Main Office and the Mindanao Intelligence Task Group acted swiftly on those tips.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the operations support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to keep communities safe and tighten immigration enforcement.
Community Tips Made the Difference
BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato S. Manahan, Jr. credited Siargao locals for the quick action.
“Our intelligence personnel continuously monitor reports from local communities and work closely with partner law enforcement agencies to ensure that foreign nationals comply with Philippine laws while enjoying the country’s tourist destinations,” Manahan said. He added that residents and stakeholders were “very active in reporting suspected immigration violations,” helping protect one of the country’s top tourist spots.
Who Was Arrested
The ten foreigners came from six countries. Here’s a quick rundown of who they are and what they allegedly did:
- Ben Yeshaya Menahem Mendel Rafael and Aharon Ida (Israeli, both 22) – Overstayed and worked without proper visas at an Israeli restaurant while managing a Jewish center. They couldn’t present their passports.
- Abeve Tewabel (Israeli, 23) – Worked without papers and was tagged an undesirable alien after a prior arrest.
- Etay Harari (Israeli, 51) – Caught working as a disc jockey without authorization.
- Larbi Oirdi (Moroccan, 23) – Faces charges as an undesirable alien linked to past offenses, including unjust vexation and direct assault.
- Lauren Elizabeth Fornazieri (Australian, 34) – Overstayed for nine years while working at a Siargao hotel.
- Bill James Augustine (Nigerian, 27) – Worked illegally as a dog trainer.
- Edgar Drozdov (Lithuanian, 39) – Managed a resort and worked as a food delivery rider without permits.
- Zhu Guifu (36) and Chen Anqi (31), Chinese – Found overstaying at a surf resort, both with existing blacklist records.
A Warning to Lawbreakers
Viado made the Bureau’s stance clear.
“The Philippines remains a welcoming destination for legitimate tourists, investors, and foreign visitors,” he said. “But that hospitality should never be mistaken for tolerance of those who choose to violate our laws.”
He promised more enforcement actions in Siargao and other tourist hubs.
What’s Next
All ten foreigners are now detained at the BI facility in Manila, where they will stay while undergoing immigration proceedings.