Taho-throwing Chinese woman undergoes inquest proceedings in Mandaluyong

The young Chinese woman who splashed a police officer with a cup of taho at an MRT3 station has undergone police inquest proceedings, according to a report by Sam Nielsen on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

Jiale Zhang, 23, was processed at the Mandaluyong Police Station, where she is currently detained. 

Estudyanteng Chinese na nagsaboy ng taho sa pulis, naiharap na sa inquest proceeding ng Mandaluyong Police Station. l via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/sz9X1pvZWN

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 10, 2019

MRT authorities said that at around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Zhang entered Boni Station's baggage inspection area, where security personnel asked her to consume the taho she brought with her before she could be allowed in.

The request was made due to the MRT3 management's implementation of more stringent security measures for the rail system, including a ban on liquids, after it received a bomb threat about three weeks before the deadly January 27 bombing of a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

Zhang refused, and the MRT3 personnel asked PO1 William Cristobal to explain to her the policy on liquid substances.

In a fit of anger, Zhang threw the taho at him, covering him with the substance.

Authorities immediately escorted Zhang to the Shaw Boulevard Police Station, where she—along with Cristobal as the complainant—was turned over to the Mandaluyong City Police Community Precinct 5 for investigation and proper disposition.

Zhang faces a complaint for direct assault, disobedience to agent of person in authority, and unjust vexation before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor's office. Charges can only be filed in court if the investigating prosecutor finds probable cause to do so.

According to a report on 24 Oras on Sunday, the MRT3 management has also decided to file separate complaints against Zhang.

The report also stated that the Chinese Embassy has not yet reached out to Philippine authorities about the incident.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that even before the stricter security measures were put in place, "consumption of unsealed food and drinks are prohibited inside trains and stations as this can cause inconvenience, accident and delay to our operations."

Immigration probe

The Bureau of Immigration said that it will be looking into possible actions to take against Zhang, a student at a fashion school who has been living in Mandaluyong.

"We will be coordinating with the DOTr and the NCRPO [National Capital Region Police Office] for details about the case and will study possible actions against said foreigner," said Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval on Saturday.

NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar spoke with Zhang on Saturday, and later said that she must suffer the consequences of her actions.

"We will recommend for her to be considered as undesirable alien," Eleazar said, according to a report on 24 Oras by Katrina Son.

'Insult to PHL'

Vice President Leni Robredo said that the Chinese woman insulted not just Cristobal but all Filipinos.

“[W]ake-up call iyon sa ating lahat. Ano ba talaga? Maraming reklamo na iyong mga trabahong dapat sana sa Pilipino, nabibigay pa sa Instik. Tapos ito pa, parang kinakalinga natin sila tapos binabastos nila tayo,” she said in a radio interview on Sunday, referring to concerns over the supposed special treatment given to Chinese over Filipinos, including for jobs.

This, Robredo said, may have caused some Chinese people to think they can show disrespect to Filipinos.

"This is what happens when our government itself favors the Chinese and calls our country a ‘Province of China,’" said Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano in a separate statement.

"Nagiging second-class citizens ang mga Pilipino at binabastos ng mga dayuhan sa sarili nating bayan. Hindi lamang ang ating mga mangingisda at mga sundalo sa West Philippine Sea ang nakararanas ng bullying dahil pati mismo ang ating mga kapulisan ay hindi ginagalang," he added.

China has laid claim to almost the entire South China Sea, including territories within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The Philippines won its case against China's claims at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague—a decision that China refuses to recognize and the Duterte administration has apparently set aside. — BM, GMA News