THE Bureau of Immigration yesterday said it will pursue a deportation case against four foreigners — three Pakistanis and a Romanian — who had been arrested for disrespecting the Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco yesterday said the police turned over the four to BI custody last Friday while the deportation proceeding is underway.
The four were identified as Pakistanis Sharoon Manzoor, Shaid Manzoor, Shmail Jalal and Romanian Joan Oprescu.
The local police charged them with violation of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code.
The four made headlines after being seen by a member of the Philippine Marine Corps, Sgt. Joylin Rojo, pulling down a Philippine flag at the Marine Base Gregorio Lim, taking turns tearing it, and throwing it away in violation of Republic Act 8491 last June 26.
The Marine officer informed the Ternate police, which apprehended the four.
“Foreign nationals staying here must respect our country and our laws. Foreigners destroying symbols of our country show utmost disrespect and do not deserve our hospitality,” Tansingco said.
Tansingco said the four have undergone preliminary investigation as part of the deportation case and are in the BI’s holding facility in Taguig while the proceeding is underway.
