BI checking status of foreign resident in altercation with Makati cop

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday warned foreigners that they could be arrested and deported if they disobey enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols set by the government to stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“The ECQ guidelines were placed to promote public health and safety among members of the society. That means everyone, including foreign nationals. Aliens who disregard the law may face deportation,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

He issued the warning after a video went viral, showing an altercation on Sunday between a foreign resident of Makati’s exclusive Dasmariñas Village, Javier Parra Salvador, and Senior Master Sgt. Roland Von Madrona, a member of the city police force.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they were checking Salvador’s status to determine if there was a violation of immigration laws due to the altercation.

According to her, the matter has been forwarded to the BI’s Intelligence Division for assessment and case build-up.

Also on Tuesday, the Makati police filed in the city prosecutor’s office multiple charges, all bailable offenses, against Salvador.

He was charged with direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, unjust vexation—all under the Revised Penal Code, violation of Section 9e of Republic Act No. 11332, or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,” and City Ordinance No. 2020-089 or the mandatory wearing of face masks.

Makati police chief Police Col. Rogelio Simon said they had already coordinated with the BI to check on the status of Salvador, who was from Spain, based on information that he could be an overstaying alien.

“We cannot let our police officers be disrespected. In other countries, answering out of line to policemen will get you handcuffed. This is a warning to all abusive foreigners,” Simon said.

An altercation broke out between Salvador and Madrona after the former’s maid complained that the latter had fined her P1,000 for watering the plants outside the house without a face mask.

According to Salvador, Madrona “[charged] at me and [trespassed on] my private property without a valid search warrant and wanting to arrest me for no valid reason.” In the video taken by his wife, the foreigner could be seen evading the policeman who was trying to arrest him.

The police, however, defended Madrona by releasing a video taken by the barangay watchman who was with him. It showed Salvador shouting and swearing at the policeman and telling him to leave his house.

The police’s side of the story was backed by Dasmariñas barangay chair Rossana Hwang, who had requested for a police officer to conduct patrols inside the village to implement ECQ rules.

Despite criticisms that Madrona could have handled the situation better, Simon said he should be given an award instead because based on the video, “he showed the maximum tolerance needed in the situation.”

Still, he ordered his men to show maximum tolerance and keep their cool in such situations.

Even Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday defended Madrona, saying that “he did his job properly. The incident was handled in accordance with established police protocols.”

“Let’s not forget that they [Salvador and his house helper] violated a city ordinance and ECQ protocol which [were] being implemented for public health, hence, Madrano has no choice but to impose the law,” he added.

—With a report from Jeannette I. Andrade