Thursday, September 13, 2007 Smoking Korean deported Thursday By Rhodamae M. Hernandez, Carlo P. Mallo, and Ben Jason O. Tesiorna
* Korean has been staying in Davao illegally as his passport has already expired last April 2007
* Talks rife that a high-ranking official tipped BI of Hahn's expired passport
THE Korean national who was arrested and is now facing charges for smoking inside a taxicab in violation of a Davao City ordinance and for disobeying a police officer will be deported back to Korea Thursday.
Bit Maru Hahn, 26, who has been living in Ladislawa Village in Buhangin before his arrest the Tuesday, will be escorted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents to Metro Manila Thursday where he will take a flight back to South Korea.
BI alien control officer Ben Lao said Wednesday that they are still completing the necessary documents needed to deport the Korean National.
"He is still detained in our office. Yes, I will deport him. We are just waiting for the clearances from the Philippine National Police, the fiscal, and the court. I'm going to send him to Manila tomorrow (Thursday)," Lao said.
Reports gathered by Sun.Star Davao showed a high-ranking official in the city might have tipped off the BI about the expired passport of Hahn. The passport expired last April 12, 2007.
In a letter to BI, the Sta. Ana Police Station said Hahn has deliberately violated the anti-smoking ordinance of the city. It added that "the aforementioned Korean national showed disrespect to authorities while in the performance of their duties according to the laws of the country."
Han was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation Office after his arrest last Monday for smoking inside a taxicab and disobeying Sta. Ana police officers during his arrest.
Han is now facing two criminal charges: one for smoking and the other one for resistance and disobedience against a person in authority.
The affidavits of complaint used to file the case against Han were made by police officers Leo Caballero Tandog and Leandro Baquial Tutor of the Sta. Ana Police and Mabuhay taxi driver Juanito Libre.
Hahn was with a fellow South Korean (not his brother as earlier reported). They came from the girlie bar Aquarium in Lanang when they flagged down the taxi driven by Libre and asked the driver to bring them to the casino at the Apo View Hotel.
Upon boarding, Hahn lit up a cigarette and refused to put it off even after Libre reminded him that smoking inside the cab is prohibited by law. This led to a scuffle of sorts as Hahn resented Libre's reminder and allegedly tried to grab the steering wheel from Libre.
Libre parked near the Fountain Place along Dacudao Avenue where Task Force Davao members are posted and asked for help. A police assistance call was made to the Sta. Ana Police Precinct, which sent Tandog and Tutor.
Hahan allegedly refused to heed even the policemen and was therefore arrested.
A television crew was able to capture footage of Hahn as he was facing detention at the Sta. Ana Police Station. The footage showed the Korean national engaged in an altercation and shouting at the policeman arresting him.
Lao said they will wait for clearance from the Philippine National Police and the City Prosecution Office before sending Hahn to Metro Manila where he will face deportation proceedings.
The criminal charges against Hahn were filed by the police last Tuesday.
