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Advocates Philippines
BI Arrests Two Foreign Nationals For Allegedly Running Siargao Resort On Tourist Visas
Photo credit: BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a New Zealand national and a Swiss national for allegedly operating a resort business in Siargao while staying in the Philippines on tourist visas.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the two as 41-year-old Teryn Jane Spencer and 38-year-old Dario Salvatore Di Capua. They were apprehended on July 1 during an enforcement operation at a resort in San Isidro, Surigao del Norte.
According to the BI, the operation stemmed from intelligence reports that the pair had been personally managing a homestay and café while also offering yoga classes to guests without the necessary work visas or permits.
To verify the information, BI intelligence officers posed as potential customers interested in booking the entire resort for a team-building event. Investigators said Spencer personally assisted the undercover operatives by giving them a tour of the property, explaining room rates and accommodation options, discussing yoga sessions, and arranging the reservation.
Although the couple maintained that they were only investors, the BI said its investigation showed they were actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business while remaining in the country as temporary visitors.
Commissioner Viado stressed that tourist visas do not authorize foreigners to work or operate businesses in the Philippines.
"A tourist visa is not a license to work or run a business in the Philippines. We welcome foreign visitors who respect our laws, 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. No one is exempt from our immigration laws," Viado said.
The two foreign nationals are now under BI custody and will face deportation proceedings for allegedly violating the conditions of their temporary visitor visas.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the two as 41-year-old Teryn Jane Spencer and 38-year-old Dario Salvatore Di Capua. They were apprehended on July 1 during an enforcement operation at a resort in San Isidro, Surigao del Norte.
According to the BI, the operation stemmed from intelligence reports that the pair had been personally managing a homestay and café while also offering yoga classes to guests without the necessary work visas or permits.
To verify the information, BI intelligence officers posed as potential customers interested in booking the entire resort for a team-building event. Investigators said Spencer personally assisted the undercover operatives by giving them a tour of the property, explaining room rates and accommodation options, discussing yoga sessions, and arranging the reservation.
Although the couple maintained that they were only investors, the BI said its investigation showed they were actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business while remaining in the country as temporary visitors.
Commissioner Viado stressed that tourist visas do not authorize foreigners to work or operate businesses in the Philippines.
"A tourist visa is not a license to work or run a business in the Philippines. We welcome foreign visitors who respect our laws, 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. No one is exempt from our immigration laws," Viado said.
The two foreign nationals are now under BI custody and will face deportation proceedings for allegedly violating the conditions of their temporary visitor visas.
Jul 9, 2026
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