American turned over to BI, to be sent home

The American who was talked out of committing suicide at the tower of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge last Monday afternoon will soon return to his hometown Springville, Alabama.

Jerry Lynn Johnston, the 50-year-old ex-Navy, was turned over by Mandaue City police to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation in Central Visayas (BID-7) office, where he will stay until he receives fare for his return trip home.

No charges will be filed against him, said Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Mandaue City police chief.

“That person needs help, he was depressed, and for humanitarian reasons, we will set aside charges. I don’t want to add to his burden,” he said.

Acting BI-7 Director Casimero Madarang III said he is coordinating with John Domingo of the U.S. Consulate in Cebu to facilitate Johnston’s trip back to the United States.

Madarang said Johston cannot be deported because he wasn’t charged and he had no derogatory record.

Madarang said he heard from other Americans who visited his office that Johnston is a good person.

If he would be deported, Madarang said Johnston will be brought to the BI detention facility in Bicutan to wait for his deportation and blacklisting.

The alien control officer said Johnston simply overstayed for four months or since Feb. 8, 2011.

Madarang said the violation constitutes a P5,600 fine.

He said he will accompany Johnston to Domingo’s office to work out an arrangement for him.

Madarang said Domingo told him some American friends will raise funds to pay for Johnston’s fine and air fare.

Once Johnston pays the fine, the BI-7 will issue an Immigration Clearance Certificate to him.

“We had an understanding with Domingo that we will submit a letter in behalf of Johnston informing the U.S. consulate that he is an indigent… We will also write BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. about his plight so the fees will be waived,” he said.

Madarang said once the requests are approved, the fare and other documents for Johnston’s trip back home will take two to three days to process.

Johnston tried to commit suicide after his restaurant-bar business went bankrupt.

He tried to apply for work but cannot do so since he needs to pay P20,000 to update his immigration papers, which expired last Feb. 8.

With only P90 in his pocket, Johnston left his rented house in sitio Datag, barangay Maribago in Lapu-Lapu City carrying a white crystal rosary given to him by his Mexican ex-girlfriend at past 1 p.m. last Monday.

Johnston climbed on top of the bridge tower in Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge on the Mandaue City side and was eventually talked out of committing suicide by police.

In waiving the charges, Gillamac said no one was hurt and there was no damage to property.

To avoid overstaying, foreigners should apply for extension before the BI, Madarang said.

Gillamac said the Mandaue City police patrol the bridge but they were not assigned to guard the access road heading to the bridge.

Johnston said he will work in Alabama and he plans to return to the country to pay his P20,000 dues.

“I’m gonna plan better next time. No more bridge climbing,” he said.

Johnston said he was sorry for causing inconvenience and thanked the Mandaue City police for treating him well.