MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 5:04 p.m.) — A Chinese woman was turned over to authorities Saturday morning after she threw a cup of soy pudding or "taho" at a police officer stationed at the Metro Rail Transit line 3.
In a statement, the MRT-3 management said the incident happened at Boni Station in Madaluyong City at around 8:30 a.m. Authorities identified the Chinese woman as Jialz Zhang Nepumuceno, 42, and the cop as Police Officer 1 William Cristobal.
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Nepumuceno entered the baggage inspection area where two security personnel asked her to consume her taho first before entering the station, but she refused to do so.
The matter was turned over to Cristobal. As the police officer explained to Nepumuceno the security policy of MRT-3, she threw her taho at the police officer.
Nepumuceno was immediately brought to the PNP-RMFB Detachment at Shaw Boulevard Station. The Chinese national apologized and was later released.
“The DOTr MRT-3 would like to stress that tighter security measures being implemented inside our trains and stations means no harm to our passengers. We are being cautious since we put in our topmost priorities the safety and security of our passengers and personnel following attacks in Mindanao,” the MRT-3 management said.
“Moreover, it should also be noted that even before the recent ban of bottled water, drinks and liquids, consumption of unsealed food and drinks are prohibited inside trains and stations as this can cause inconvenience, accident and delay to our operations,” it added.
The management of MRT-3 on Friday said it received a bomb threat last month, prompting the implementation of tightened security measures, including a ban on liquid items inside train stations that has generated criticisms from passengers.
The Bureau of Immigration said it will coordinate with the Department of Transportation and Metro Manila police for details about the case and "will study possible actions against said foreigner."