The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will file a deportation case against four foreigners who were arrested for disrespecting the Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite.
Arrested were three Pakistanis and a Romanian who were turned over by the Philippine National Police Ternate District to the bureau after being seen by a member of the Philippine Marine Corps pulling down a Philippine flag, taking turns tearing it, and throwing it away in violation of Republic Act 8491.
“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,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
All four have undergone preliminary investigation and were committed in the BI’s holding facility in Taguig City.
They were caught on June 26 for violating Section 34 of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, police said.
“Reports revealed that the suspects were caught in the act of disrespecting the Philippine National Flag. They were observed pulling and damaging the flag before discarding it in a grassy area near the camp,” the PNP said in a statement.
Police said the incident occurred at 5:40 a.m. at Marine Base Gregorio Lim in Sitio Calumpang, Barangay Sapang 1 in Ternate, Cavite.
The four foreigners were arrested by Sergeant Joylin Rojo of the Philippine Marines and were brought to the nearest police station for processing. Inquest proceedings were conducted on the same day.
