By Hannah Torregoza

Senator Richard Gordon has called on authorities to expedite deportation proceedings against a Chinese national who threw a plastic cup of taho (soya pudding) at a police officer at the Boni Station of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

Gordon, Senate committee on justice and human rights head, said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) should immediately deport Jiale Zhang for her failure to respect the country’s rules and laws.

“The Chinese passenger should be deported. The Chinese nationals here and all other foreign nationals staying in our country should respect our rules and laws,” said Gordon.

“They should not flout our rules and they should also respect the officials who are implementing our laws,” he added.

The senator said China, as the Philippines nearest neighbor in Asia, should advise its nationals “about complying with the rules and laws of our country and respecting persons in authority here.”

Zhang, a 23-year old Chinese national, has been apprehended following the incident last Saturday.

The incident started when Zhang, who was reportedly about to board the MRT-3 on Saturday at 8:30 in the morning carrying a cup of taho was reminded by PO1 William Cristobal of the MRT’s policy banning drinks and other liquid inside the premises.

The policeman reportedly asked her to finish her drink first before entering.

But instead of complying, an irate Zhang threw her plastic cup of taho at Cristobal.

The MRT management maintained that the policy has to be strictly implemented as a precaution following the twin bombings in a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

Accordingly, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been stringent in implementing its no liquid policy inside the MRT and the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

Zhang was brought to the Mandaluyong Police Community Precinct 5 near the Boni MRT station following the incident.