Ten foreign nationals were apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted across Siargao Island on 26 June.

The operations were carried out by operatives from the BI Intelligence Division Main Office and the BI Intelligence Division Mindanao Intelligence Task Group following reports from local residents and business owners regarding foreign nationals allegedly violating Philippine immigration laws.

Among those arrested were Israeli nationals Ben Yeshaya Menahem Mendel Rafael and Aharon Ida, both 22 years old, who were found overstaying and working without the appropriate visas and permits.

The two were reportedly employed at an Israeli restaurant and were also managing a Jewish center despite lacking the required immigration documents. They were likewise unable to present their passports during the operation.

Another Israeli national, Abeve Tewabel, 23, was apprehended for working without the proper documentation and was also tagged as an undesirable alien following a previous arrest by local authorities.

Meanwhile, fellow Israeli Etay Harari, 51, was arrested after being found working as a disc jockey without the necessary work authorization.

Also arrested was Moroccan national Larbi Oirdi, 23, who is facing immigration charges as an undesirable alien in connection with his previous arrest for unjust vexation, direct assault, serious resistance and disobedience, among other offenses.

Australian national Lauren Elizabeth Fornazieri, 34, was likewise arrested after authorities found that she had overstayed in the Philippines for nine years while working at a hotel in Siargao without valid immigration status.

Nigerian national Bill James Augustine, 27, was apprehended for illegally working as a dog trainer, while Lithuanian national Edgar Drozdov, 39, was found managing a resort and working as a food delivery rider without the required permits.

The operations also led to the arrest of Chinese nationals Zhu Guifu, 36, and Chen Anqi, 31, who were located at a surf resort. Both were found to be overstaying and had existing blacklist records arising from previous immigration violations.

All ten foreign nationals will be held at the BI's detention facility in Manila, where they will remain while undergoing immigration proceedings.