The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is now preparing the deportation procedures for the four foreigners who were arrested by a Marines sergeant for disrespecting the Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they already taken under custody the four foreigners involved-- three Pakistanis and a Romanian.
They were Sharon Manzoor, 29; Shalid Manzoor, aged 45; and Shamail Jalal, 36; and Romanian Ion Emil Oprescu.
The four were accused of pulling down the Philippine flag, tearing it apart, and discarding it--which is a violation of the Republic Act 8491, which governs the proper handling of the Philippine flag.
According to police reports, the aliens had been traveling to a resort in Ternate when they alighted near a marine camp in Barangay Sapang, took down the Philippine flag and tore it apart apparently out of frustration of the heavy traffic congestion on their way to the resort.
Tansingco stressed the importance of foreign nationals demonstrating respect for the nation and its laws while residing in the country.
He emphasized that foreign individuals who undermine the symbols of the Philippines display a complete lack of respect and do not deserve the hospitality.
After a preliminary investigation, all four individuals have been placed in the BI's holding facility in Taguig City.