Obey the law, Filipinos, foreigners told
MANILA, Philippines – After the recent incident involving a Chinese woman who splashed a cup of soya pudding or “taho” on a police officer, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday reminded Filipinos and foreigners alike to obey local laws.
“Sa ating mga kababayan lalo na siguro sa mga foreigners, una they have to obey the law dito gaya nung sa atin kapag nandoon tayo sa kanila we obey their laws, of course [respect] the culture of the country kung nasaan ka,” Albayalde told reporters.
(To our countrymen, and foreigners, they have to obey the law here like how we obey the law when we are in their countries.)
Chinese national Jiale Zhang, a 23-year-old fashion design student, on Saturday splashed her cup of “taho” at PO1 William Cristobal, after she was temporarily denied entry at the Boni Station of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3)
The MRT-3 and both lines of the Light Rail Transit have intensified its policy on banning food and some forms of liquid inside train stations as part of security measures recommended by the National Capital Region Police Office.
“They have to respect our culture, the way we respect their culture also and also the laws of the land,” Albayalde said.
“Even in other countries, kahit sasakay ka ng eroplano bawal yung bottled water din, hindi ba? Doon sumusunod tayo. Bakit dito hindi tayo makasunod? Whether tayo ay Pilipino o foreigner, dapat tayong sumunod dahil iyan ay batas na ipinapatupad,” he said.
(Even in other countries, bottled water is prohibited when boarding an aircraft, right? Why can’t we follow that here? Whether we are Filipino or foreigner, we should follow the law.)
On Monday, Cristobal was awarded the Commendation Medal by the PNP for his behavior during the incident.
Zhang meanwhile has been charged with unjust vexation, direct assault, and disobedience to an agent or person in authority. / gsg
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