Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Surfers compete in the 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup in Cloud 9 in Siargao, Surigao Del Norte on October 26, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17835024277691783502426438.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Surfers compete in the 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup in Cloud 9 in Siargao, Surigao Del Norte on October 26, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </div>MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration has arrested a New Zealander woman and a Swiss man for allegedly operating a resort business in Siargao while on tourist visas.The two were arrested on July 1 by operatives of the BI Intelligence Division’s Mindanao Regional Intelligence Operations Unit during an enforcement operation at a resort in San Isidro in Siargao, Surigao del Norte.The BI said their personnel were acting on intelligence reports that the couple was managing a homestay and café and offering yoga sessions to guests without permits or work visas.To verify the information, BI intelligence operatives posed as prospective clients interested in booking the entire resort for a team-building event.The bureau said the foreigners met with the operatives, gave them a tour of the property, discussed room rates and accommodation options, explained the resort’s yoga offerings, and facilitated the reservation.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/25/bi-heightens-immigration-presence-in-siargao-amid-foreign-violators-1618">BI heightens immigration presence in Siargao amid foreign violators </a></div>Investigators said these show the couple have active involvement in the day-to-day management of the business.Although they claimed they were merely investors, the BI said its investigation found the two were directly managing the establishment and interacting with customers.“A tourist visa is not a license to work or run a business in the Philippines,” Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement.He added the Philippines welcomes foreign visitors “but those who abuse the privilege of their stay by engaging in unauthorized employment or business activities will be arrested, deported, and barred from returning.”The coupls is in BI custody for deportation proceedings for allegedly violating the conditions of their admission as tourists.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a New Zealand national and a Swiss national for allegedly operating a resort business in Siargao while on tourist visas.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a New Zealand national and a Swiss national for allegedly operating a resort business in Siargao while on tourist visas.

Foreign couple arrested for allegedly running Siargao resort while on tourist visas

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Foreign couple arrested for allegedly running Siargao resort while on tourist visas

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 08, 2026 05:24 PM PHT

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Bureau of Immigration

Siargao

foreign couple

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