BI arrests Israeli man wanted for VAWC case

The arrest of Amir Tesler, an Israeli wanted in the Philippines for violence against women and children, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Photo from the Bureau of Immigration.

MANILA, Philippines — An Israeli man wanted for a pending local case in the Philippines was arrested after attempting to extend his stay in the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Thursday.

The bureau said their Tourist Visa Section Chief Raymond Remigio identified the suspect as Amir Tesler.

According to the BI, Tesler is the subject of a standing warrant of arrest for violence against women and children (VAWC) issued by the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City last September 2021.

The BI said Tesler arrived in the Philippines in August and wanted to add more to his 59-day stay in the country.

The bureau also added that he was intercepted after attempting to extend his visa at their head office in Intramuros, Manila.

It was Immigration Officer Philip Reyes who processed Tesler’s application and noticed his active derogatory record, the BI noted.

According to the bureau, further verification by the authorities revealed that the alien has a local case and a warrant of arrest for VAWC.

The BI said Tesler was arrested by the Philippine National Police, the agency where he was also turned over.

Meanwhile, the BI said their Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized that their bureau maintains a “strong collaboration relationship” with local law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals who may have pending legal matters in the country.

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