Criminal charges were filed before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday against a foreigner who figured in an altercation with a police officer for failing to comply with quarantine regulations.
The Makati police filed charges of direct assault, resisting arrest and disobeying a person in authority, unjust vexation and failing to wear a face mask as required against Spanish citizen Javier Parra.
In a cellular phone video footage, Senior Master Sgt. Roland Von Madrona was shown struggling with a shirtless Parra who resisted arrest during the incident in Dasmariñas Village on Sunday.
Before the incident, another footage showed Parra on the street outside his house cursing Madrona after Madrona asked the foreigner’s Filipino maid why she was not wearing a face mask while gardening.
City police Chief Rogelio Simon welcomed the charges against Parra.
“This is a warning to abusive foreigners,” Simon said in a statement, adding Spain had 220,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 23,521 deaths since the outbreak.
Año defends Madrona
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday defended Madrona, saying the policeman had every reason to arrest Parra who was drunk, topless and cursing the police officer. Rio N. Araja, Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
“We support the actions of the police officer. He did the right thing,” Año said in a phone interview.
The Makati police said Madrona along with village watchman Esteban Gaan of Dasmariñas village, patrolled the Village at the request of chairwoman Rosana Hwang.
Año said that even in a private subdivision, the roads within the area and other common areas were considered public areas.
“If you go out in the streets, even in a private subdivision, those are public areas. They serve the public,” he said.
IBP backs Madrona
THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Tuesday backed Madrona’s actions, saying even gated and upscale villages like Dasmariñas were covered by the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
IBP president Domingo Cayosa said Parra was outside his home when the altercation between him and Madrona started, and that Madrona had the authority to accost him.
“The street inside a gated subdivision is not owned by the state, but it is considered a public place that anyone can use. It is clear that the Enhanced Community Quarantine applies to Dasmariñas,” Cayosa said.
Foreigners warned
The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday warned foreigners they are not exempt from the Enhanced Community Quarantine protocols following the COVID-19 crisis.
“The ECQ guidelines are there to promote public health and safety among the members of society,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.
“That means everyone-including foreign nationals. Aliens who disregard the law may face deportation.”
Morente made his statement following the incident in Dasmariñas village.
Call for deportation
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday joined the call for Parra’s immediate deportation for being rowdy, disrespectful and arrogant.
“He was arrogant. He should be deported immediately,” Gatchalian said following a tweet by former Senator JV Ejercito, who made the same call.
Senator Panfilo Lacson echoed Gatchalian.
“Arrogance has no place in our country-especially in a situation where either all of us win or all of us lose to the COVID-19 threat,” Lacson said.