Chinese who spat on cop in BI custody

MANILA -- The Chinese national who spat on a police officer after he was apprehended for a traffic violation is now under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said

charges have been recommended against 50-yearold Zhou Zhiyi, who was arrested by BI agents at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters along UN Avenue in Manila after posting bail on Monday.

“No schedule yet for deportation. Kailangan munang ma-resolve ang court case niya (His court case has to be resolved first) before we implement deportation,” he said in a text message on Wednesday.

Zhou is currently detained at the bureau’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.

He said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has ordered the foreigner’s arrest for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act upon learning that the latter was granted bail by the court.

“Yes, he was arrested after posting bail for his criminal case. They can request for bail for immigration cases and is subject to the Commissioner’s approval, but these are rarely approved,” he added.

Meanwhile, BI acting intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said Zhou would be charged for overstaying and being an undesirable alien.

The Chinese national reportedly arrived in the country as a tourist on November 11 last year and only had 30 days to stay in the country.

“Thus, he was already an overstaying alien at the time the spitting incident occurred last February 6,” Manahan added.

Zhou reportedly refused to pull over despite being flagged by traffic enforcers for violating the number coding scheme in Binondo, Manila on February 6.

A video footage showed his car running over several other vehicles and motorcycles before he was finally caught by a policeman.

Zhou then spat on the police officer, which led to his arrest. A subsequent search of his car reportedly yielded a sachet of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia. (PNA)