Israeli wanted for VAWC arrested

MANILA, Philippines — An Israeli man reportedly wanted for violating the law on violence against women and children or VAWC was intercepted on Wednesday while applying for visa extension at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Intramuros, Manila.

Amir Tesler, 49, has a standing warrant of arrest issued by a Pasay City court in September 2021, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

Tansingco said Tesler went to the BI tourist visa section to extend his stay in the Philippines amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Tesler arrived in Manila in August.

When immigration officer Philip Reyes processed his application, it turned out that Tesler has a pending warrant for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.

The Israeli was turned over to the Philippine National Police.