Chinese woman in ‘taho’ incident now under BI custody

Personnel from the BI Intelligence Division detained Zhang Jiale at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Tuesday, for violating immigration laws. (File photo: PIO NCRPO/Facebook)

MANILA — The 23-year-old Chinese national who threw “taho” (soy pudding) at a police officer last February 9 is now under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Personnel from the BI Intelligence Division detained Zhang Jiale at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Tuesday, for violating immigration laws.

BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said the operatives served a mission order signed by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente to gain custody of the foreigner.

“Zhang has already been charged as an undesirable alien for posing as a risk to public interest. The incident showed her disrespect towards persons of authority, which in turn shows her disrespect to the country,” Sandoval said in a statement.

She said Zhang may face deportation and eventual blacklisting following the incident.

Zhang went viral on social media after throwing a cup of “taho” at PO1 William Cristobal after being refused entry at an MRT station in Mandaluyong City with a beverage.

She reportedly posted bail after being charged with direct assault, disobedience to an agent of a person in authority, and unjust vexation by the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office.

Sandoval said the Chinese national’s court and immigration cases are two different matters.

“Her court case will run independent from her immigration case. If found deportable, we will wait for the resolution of her court case before implementing the deportation,” she added.

The BI is expected to resolve her case in the next few weeks.