MANILA, Philippines — Four foreign tourists who reportedly tore and threw away a Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite are facing deportation proceedings before the Bureau of Immigration.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the three Pakistanis and a Romanian were turned over by the Ternate police to the bureau’s custody.
Shmail Jalal, 36; Shaid Manzoor, 45, and Sharoon Manzoor, 29, as well as Romanian Joan Oprescu, 36, were subjected to a preliminary investigation and are currently detained at the BI’s detention facility located in Bicutan, Taguig.
“Foreign nationals staying here must respect our country and our laws,” Tansingco said. “Foreigners destroying symbols of our country show utmost disrespect and do not deserve our hospitality.”
Reports said that on June 26, the foreigners, who were in a vehicle headed to Puerto Azul in Ternate, became upset after they got stuck in traffic.
The suspects pulled over in front of the Marine Base Gregorio Lim in Barangay Sapang 1, where they reportedly removed the flag from its pole.
A Marine soldier saw the suspects tear and threw the flag away, which is a violation of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code.
The soldier sought the help of the police, who arrested the foreigners.