Italian chef arrested in Iloilo for overstaying, violations

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Wednesday, Oct. 8, that it had arrested an Italian chef in Iloilo City’s Mandurriao district for overstaying and lacking valid documentation.

Antonino Consoli, 40, was apprehended by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), in coordination with the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Central, at the restaurant where he worked along Megaworld Boulevard on Sept. 30.

The BI said the arrest followed intelligence reports that Consoli had allegedly physically abused a Filipina and operated a business without the necessary permits.

Investigators confirmed that Consoli entered the Philippines on a temporary visitor visa in January 2023 and was later granted a probationary immigrant visa under Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act.

The BI said the visa expired in August 2024 with no record of renewal, and his passport expired on Sept. 21, 2025, rendering him both overstaying and undocumented.

“Upon verification, BI records showed that Consoli last arrived in the Philippines in January 2023 as a temporary visitor,” the bureau said in a statement.

“He was later granted a probationary immigrant visa under Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act, but this expired in August 2024 with no record of renewal. His passport also expired on 21 September 2025, making him both an overstaying and an undocumented alien.”

FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy said, “The bureau takes complaints seriously and will act against foreign nationals who violate our laws. Foreigners who abuse our hospitality and disregard immigration rules will face the consequences.”

While the BI did not name the establishment involved, Carpaccio Cucina Italiana issued a public statement on Oct. 4 to clarify that Consoli was no longer affiliated with their restaurant.

The restaurant said he had been a former volunteer chef who had moved on to another venture before the allegations surfaced.

“We would like to inform our valued patrons and friends that our former volunteer chef, Chef Antonio Consoli, is no longer connected with Carpaccio Cucina Italiana,” the restaurant said in its statement.

“We have recently learned of reports involving him here and abroad, which were beyond our knowledge and control.”

“[Consoli] voluntarily helped Carpaccio to make the restaurant authentic Italian through his knowledge and skills as a chef.”

The restaurant added that it is a duly registered and independent business that holds all required permits, licenses, and legal documents.

The BI said Consoli will be transferred to Manila for booking and documentation before being turned over to the BI Warden Facility.