BI legal unit recommends deportation case vs Chinese in ‘taho-throwing’ incident

Director Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, talks to Jiale Zhang, a Chinese national detained for throwing taho at a police officer at the Boni Station of MRT 3 in Mandaluyong. (Photo from the NCRPO)

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Legal Division on Tuesday recommended the filing of a deportation case against a Chinese woman who was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday for throwing soybean curd (taho) to a police officer.

READ: Chinese woman charged for throwing ‘taho’ at MRT cop

“Our Legal Team saw that there was probable cause to file a deportation case against her (referring to Zhang Jiale),” said BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

“The BI can file a case motu proprio, especially since there are photos showing what happened,” she added.

Zhang became viral on social media after photos of the incident were circulated online.

She was immediately taken into custody and apologized saying she was “just in a bad mood” that day.

READ: LOOK: Chinese woman throws taho at cop detailed at MRT

Zhang who arrived in the country in October last year with a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa may be deported for violating Immigration laws.

“This is an utter display of disobedience and arrogance against a person of authority. The Bureau will not tolerate such acts, as this shows disrespect to the country,” Immigration Chief Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Sandoval, meanwhile said that once the deportation has been approved, Zhang will automatically be included in the Bureau’s watchlist. /jpv