On May 11, 2026, two Israeli foreigners allegedly assaulted the owners of Cartoon Resto Café in General Luna, Siargao—all because it had a Palestinian flag on display. The reported attack sparked widespread focus on Israeli presence on the island, following other displays of violence and disturbance. These include a group of Israelis harassing several locals inside a restaurant on April 29, 2025, as well as another reported incident on April 17, 2026, where a pair of Israeli nationals used their motorcycle to block and repeatedly threaten a group of Filipinos.
In a town hall meeting with the General Luna LGU, Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh stressed that any tourist misbehavior should be dealt with properly and legally. This echoes an earlier statement made by Kursh to ANC 24/7, where she said, “My role is to protect Israeli citizens if they are in distress. I’m saying this loud and clear: If they are misbehaving, it’s not distress. They should be arrested.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) stated that while we, as Filipinos, are known for our warmth and hospitality, it is not an invitation for disrespect. “Every tourist is welcome in the Philippines, so long as they come with respect. When it comes to the law, no one gets special treatment. Local or foreign, the standard is the same.”
That said, outside a few statements here and there, and a police report concerning the April 17 incident, there have been no arrests, deportations, or any sort of tangible consequences for the perpetrators in these aforementioned events.
Outside a few statements here and there, and a police report concerning the April 17 incident, there have been no arrests, deportations, or any sort of tangible consequences for the perpetrators in these aforementioned events
Just take a look at how these other countries addressed tourist disrespect, whether it be towards their people, cultural and historical landmarks, or even against a beloved animal.
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1. Don’t disrespect the tuk-tuk
On Jan. 30, 2026, a French couple was seen engaging in “explicit sexual activity on a tuk-tuk along the Kathu–Patong road in Phuket,” according to the Bangkok Post.
Thai police later tracked the French tourists, fined them 5,000 baht each (or roughly P9,400), before handing them over to the Phuket Immigration Office. The officials later deemed their misbehavior warranted the revocation of their visas, prompting their later deportation.
2. Protection for sacred sites
In 2023, a Russian tourist went viral for stripping his clothes and taking pictures on Mount Agung—a sacred area in Indonesia, known for being the home of the gods.
The man, known as Yuri, was deported from Indonesia and barred from re-entering the country for at least six months. “He violated norms and showed no respect for our culture,” Bali Law and Human Rights Office head Anggiat Napitupulu tells The Jakarta Post.
3. China isn’t playing around
Meanwhile, in China, two Japanese tourists were deported after taking indecent photos on the Great Wall. A man in his 20s was seen exposing his buttocks, while a woman in her 20s was with him and took his photo.
According to Nippon TV, the two were detained on the spot and were held in custody for two weeks by Chinese authorities for violating the Public Security Administration Punishments Law.
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4. Protect Punch
Punch is the viral baby Japanese macaque known for his attachment to his large orangutan stuffed toy. On May 17, 2026, two American tourists were caught attempting to breach the enclosure in Ichikawa City Zoo—with a 24-year-old college student accused of scaling a fence to get closer to Punch, while a 27-year-old singer was filming the stunt.
According to Ichikawa City Zoo, the tourists did not get close to Punch or any of the monkeys inside the enclosure. The Americans were arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.
How the rest of the world is fighting back
Indonesia is cracking down on unruly tourists. Just this year, they’ve already detained 62 visitors during a sweeping operation targeting visa violations and illegal activities. Not to mention, they’ve also established a local hotline dedicated to reporting unruly tourists.
Meanwhile, Thailand is ending its 60-day visa-free entry program for 93 countries and territories. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, visitors from select countries will receive 30-day visa-free stays, while other nationalities have to obtain visas on arrival. The policy was enacted following a series of arrests involving drug trafficking, smuggling, and running unauthorized local businesses by foreign visitors.
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Not to mention, even Japan, which welcomed a record number of 42.7 million international guests last year, is also facing a similar tourist problem. In 2024, foreign visitors were banned from select areas in the geisha district of Gion, Kyoto, following instances of tourists taking pictures of a geisha or trespassing on private property.
Just this January, the highly anticipated Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival was canceled due to worries concerning tourist behavior. “For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life. However, I feel a strong sense of crisis about the reality that, behind the beautiful scenery, the quiet lives and dignity of our residents are being threatened,” says Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi, referring to reports of disruptive tourist behavior in past festivals.
Wake up, Philippines
How about the Philippines? Well, we can’t necessarily discount recent incidents, such as when Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was arrested and deported for harassing locals in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for social media, or Nikita Chekhov, who was arrested for deliberately spreading an HIV scare.
But what about the unruly tourists in Siargao? Are we just going to let them go unchecked? Do these incidents have to occur in city centers for them to be swiftly acted on? And what about incidents on our many beaches and islands? Are they any less important?
But what about the unruly tourists in Siargao? Are we just going to let them go unchecked? Do these incidents have to occur in city centers for them to be swiftly acted on?
That said, when many of the aforementioned tourists were held accountable for actions far less severe than assaulting someone inside their own establishment, we could do better than a few well-polished statements. If we can arrest the likes of Zdorovetskiy and Chekhov, what about the ones in Siargao?
Yes, the Philippines and Siargao are open for everyone to visit and experience, but can we at least ensure that foreign visitors won’t step over us in our islands?
