A Friday night seuda at the Chabad House in Siargao, Philippines, was suddenly interrupted when armed police and immigration officers entered the building shortly before Kiddush and arrested several Israelis.

Siargao, particularly General Luna, has become a popular destination for Israeli backpackers, surfers, and travelers spending extended time in the Far East. With many Israelis passing through for weeks or months at a time, the Chabad House has become a central address on the island for Shabbos meals, assistance, and Jewish life.

An Israeli mother who was present with her family told Walla that dozens of armed officers entered while families and children were gathered for Shabbos. “We were in a place where dozens of Israelis had gathered for Kiddush and the Shabbos meal,” she said. “A moment before Kiddush, a very large number of police and soldiers suddenly came in with weapons drawn, while we were sitting with the children. It felt like they had raided a terrorist target.”

She said the officers closed off the area and ordered everyone to remain seated, quiet, and still. Her husband was separated from her during the incident, leaving her alone with the children. “I hugged them and explained that everything was fine, that we keep the law and have nothing to fear,” she said. The raid lasted about an hour.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration said ten foreign nationals were arrested in operations across Siargao, including four Israelis, two Chinese nationals, and citizens of Morocco, Australia, Nigeria, and Lithuania. Officials said the operation followed complaints from residents and business owners and accused those arrested of immigration violations, including overstaying visas or working without proper permits.

Among the Israelis arrested was a 22-year-old Chabad bochur who had been working at the Chabad House. Officials alleged that he lacked the required immigration documents.

The raid came as Chabad’s presence in General Luna has faced growing local opposition, especially online, following plans to expand with a new location in the area. In local Siargao forums, discussion of the raid focused heavily on Israelis and Chabad, with some commenters calling to “dismantle” Chabad’s presence on the island and others posting pro-Palestinian and anti-Jewish remarks.

Israeli travelers made up the largest single group among those arrested, and several locals and travelers have said the focus on Israelis appeared disproportionate given the wider number of foreign nationals living and working on the island.

Earlier this year, the Shliach spent hours traveling by boat and road to reach a group of Israeli backpackers who had been detained after a police raid in the Philippines, arranging food, tefillin, and assistance until they were released.

The father who witnessed the raid said the force used appeared disproportionate. “If this had not been a place identified with Israelis, it probably would not have been carried out in such an aggressive way,” he said.