Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) might need to investigate the altercation incident between an “arrogant” foreign national and police enforcing ECQ rules in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City.
“The Bureau of Immigration may have to look into the matter. If a deportation proceeding is in order, they should act swiftly and decisively,” Lacson, a former PNP chief, said in a statement.
“Arrogance has no place in our country – especially so in a situation where either all of us win, or all of us lose to the COVID-19 threat,” the senator added.
Makati police Senior Master Sgt. Roland Von Madrona attempted to arrested Spanish national Javier Salvador Parra after a heated argument on quarantine rules imposed in the area.
Parra, as seen in the incident’s viral video, cursed Madrona after he asked Parra to pay the P1,000 fine for his maid, who did not wear a face mask while watering the plants outside is house.
The Makati City imposes P1,000 for a first offense, P3,000 for a second offense, and P5,000 and/or imprisonment of six months for a third offense to anyone not wearing a face mask in public.
Also read: Cops to file charges vs Spanish national resident in Dasmariñas Village
‘Arrogant foreign national’ Makati resident evades arrest
Parra and Madrado scuffled. The police tackled the foreign national to the ground and attempted to arrest him. Parra, however, evades the arrest by running inside his house.
“During these trying times, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has the unenviable task of implementing an Enhanced Community Quarantine, without fear or favor. For the most part, our policemen deserve kudos for doing their jobs,” Lacson said.
“Such is the case of police officers who arrested a foreigner in Makati City after he challenged their authority with an arrogant and demeaning behavior,” he added.
Another video meanwhile showed Madrona calmly explaining the supposed ECQ violation to the housemaid until Parra and his wife came out of the house and hurled expletives at the police.
“As if this were not enough, the police officers were subjected to unfair criticisms from netizens who saw the ‘edited’ version of the video,” Lacson said, apparently referring to the video which showed the cop tackling Parra.
“On the other hand, being an ‘investor with 80 employees’ as he claimed does not give the foreigner the right to confront and incessantly berate a police officer who is merely performing a risky duty in the manner that he did,” he added.