‘Deport Chinese who threw taho at cop’

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde wants the Chinese woman who threw a cup of taho or soybean dessert at a police officer kicked out from the country.

Albayalde ordered National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar to take the necessary steps to ensure that 23-year-old Jiale Zhang is deported.

“I gave instructions to the NCRPO to coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration for her possible deportation for being an undesirable alien,” Albayalde said.

He said probers are investigating if Zhang has been  overstaying in the country since she was not carrying her passport when she was arrested.

Zhang threw taho at Police Officer 1 William Cristobal, 39, at the Boni Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) in Mandaluyong on Saturday.

Prior to this, Cristobal explained to Zhang that bottled drinks and other liquids are banned inside the train station.

The Chinese student also argued with security guards who stopped her from entering the MRT.

Passengers of the MRT and Light Rail Transit (LRT) are advised not to bring bottled drinks and liquids in train stations amid the recent bombings in Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga.

Zhang received flak after pictures of Cristobal with his uniform drenched with taho went viral on Facebook.

Eleazar said while Cristobal accepted Zhang’s apology, the cases against her should be pursued to teach her a lesson.

“She humiliated a police officer in public who was just doing his job,” Eleazar said.

The NCRPO chief commended Cristobal for keeping his composure and following police operational procedures in arresting Zhang.

Zhang told Eleazar that she lost her cool when Cristobal and the security guards refused her entry at the MRT.

“In other countries, we follow rules. Why don’t  you follow the policies here?” Eleazar said.

 Zhang is being held at the Mandaluyong police jail.

Charges of disobendience to an agent of a person in authority, direct assault and unjust vexation were filed against her yesterday before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office, Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba, director of the Eastern Police District, said.

Police urged the public to follow the “No food, no drinks” policy at the MRT and LRT.

Eleazar said sanctions would be slapped against foreigners and Filipinos who would violate the ban on bottled drinks at the MRT and LRT.

He appealed to the public to respect police officers, especially those who were doing their jobs.

It’s an insult to Pinoys – Leni

Vice President Leni Robredo denounced Zhang.

 “It’s not only an insult to the police but to all Filipinos as well,” Robredo said in her weekly program BISErbisyong Leni over radio station dzXL.

 She said foreigners should show respect to the Philippines and its people, noting how Filipinos extends hospitality to them.

 Robredo called the incident a “wake-up call” to the Filipinos for the “special treatment” given to Chinese.”

The Vice President made the statement following reports that illegal foreign workers, including Chinese, are taking away jobs from Filipinos. – Non Alquitran, Helen Flores  

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