MANILA, Philippines — The 23-year-old Chinese student arrested for throwing her soybean drink or "taho" at a police officer implementing the liquid ban at an MRT-3 station expressed remorse Monday over her actions.
Jiale Zhang, who is studying fashion design in the country, said she was just in a bad mood last Saturday morning when the incident happened.
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"I'm really in bad mood and I was not able to control my emotion. I really admit the mistake I made and I feel so regretful," a teary Zhang said in an interview with GMA News.
She was asked by PO1 William Cristobal to finish her "taho" or choose other transportation options as a ban on liquids is being implemented on Philippine train lines amid stricter security following the deadly Jolo cathedral bombing last January 27.
Zhang, who has been living in the Philippines for over six years, appealed for a second chance.
"I'm really really sorry. And I really ask if it's possible to have another chance for me," she said.
"I really like the Philippines that's why I stay here. I like people here. I really love Filipinos."
Meanwhile, Zhang's legal counsel, lawyer Sandra Respall, addressed criticisms hurled at her client online.
"This was a very minor omission which just went viral," Respall said referring to the photo of the incident that gained attention online.
"It's a case where somebody got emotional over an incident," she added.
Zhang is detained at the Mandaluyong police headquarters for disobedience to a person in authority, direct assault and unjust vexation.
Mandaluyong City police chief Senior Supt. Moises Villaceran Jr. said they would recommend to the Bureau of Immigration to declare Zhang as an "undesirable alien" and deport her.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin, however, argued against deportation on Sunday, a day after the incident happened.
"... Charge her. But deport? She's a student who believes enough in us to study here," Locsin said in a tweet.
Absolutely. Charge her. But deport? She’s a student who believes enough in us to study here. https://t.co/CUlRJ1B8Sx
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 10, 2019
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said the incident is a wake-up call as she raised her concern on the "special treatment" afforded to China by the Duterte government.