Charges against an Iranian tourist who attacked a policeman have been dropped after her family revealed that she had a medical condition.
Fereteh Najafi Marbouyeh, aged 31, was jailed after she allegedly launched what was described as “a drunken attack” on an officer in Puerto Galera.
Police spokesman Superintendent Socrates Faltado said cops were called to the town’s Barangay Poblacion at about 1.30am on Monday (February 18) because Marbouyeh was “creating trouble”.
“She was banging the vehicles of passing motorists. She was drunk based on the report of our personnel,” he said.
Officers spoke to Ms Marbouyeh and convinced her leave the area because residents had been angered by her actions.
After she had been left alone in a nipa hut for several hours to sober up, officers then went to speak to her.
It was at this point that she attacked police officer Ferr Henrick Mangarin, leaving him with a painful cigarette burn on his arm.
Cop forgives Iranian
However, it was PO Mangarin who later suspected that there could be medical reasons behind the Iranian’s erratic behaviour.
This was later confirmed by the woman’s parents, who telephoned the station to describe her condition.
PO Mangarin then called in local physicians, who were able to confirm what the parents had said.
He then decided to forgive the tourist for her attack and dropped all charges against her.
Supt. Faltado said: “The victim, PO2 Mangarin, upon knowing of the Iranian’s condition from both the Municipal Health Officer and her friend, through humanitarian consideration as a parent and an officer, executed an Affidavit of Disinterest to file a case.”
Ms Marbouyeh remained in protective custody while suitable medication and consular assistance could be secured.
Supt. Faltado said: “The family of the Iranian, through a voice call translated by her friend, requested that their daughter remain in the custody of the station pending for the arrival of help from the Iranian Embassy to produce an urgent visa.”
As of today (Wednesday, February 20), Ms Marbouyeh is said to be in a stable condition and awaiting the arrival of Iranian Embassy officials.
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