THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Wednesday that it has taken into custody Chinese student Zhang Jiale to face deportation proceedings for throwing a cup of taho, or soybean pudding, at a police officer assigned to provide security at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 on February 9.
BI Spokesman Dana Krizia Sandoval said Zhang was taken into custody by the agency’s intelligence division by virtue of a mission order signed by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.
“Zhang has already been charged as an undesirable alien for posing as a risk to public interest,” said Sandoval. “The incident showed her disrespect toward persons of authority, which, in turn, shows her disrespect to the country,” Sandoval said.
The BI said Zhang may face deportation and eventual blacklisting following the said incident.
Sandoval said the BI is expected to come up with a decision on Zhang’s case within the next few weeks.
Zhang went viral on social media after throwing a cup of taho to Police Officer 1 William Cristobal after being lawfully prohibited from entering the MRT 3 station in Mandaluyong with the beverage.
The MRT management has been implementing a no-liquid policy inside the station and train premises as part of the security measures against possible terrorist attacks in light of the recent twin bombings at the Jolo cathedral allegedly perpetrated by suicide bombers.
Instead of complying with the measure, Zhang argued with the authorities and when Cristobal approached her to explain the policy she threw her cup of taho at the latter.
The Office of the City Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City has also charged Zhang before a trial court for direct assault to an agent of person in authority but has been released after posting bail.
Sandoval clarified that her court case and her immigration case are two different matters.
“Her court case will run independent from her immigration case. If found deportable, we will wait for the resolution of her court case before implementing the deportation,” the BI spokesman said.
Zhang is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig pending deportation proceedings.