THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has filed a deportation case against Javier Salvador Parra, the Spanish national who was involved in a scuffle with a police officer for allegedly violating quarantine protocols.
BI commissioner Jaime Morente said Parra was charged for “undesirability and overstaying.”
“Upon investigation by our intelligence division, it was confirmed that he has failed to extend and has already overstayed his visa,” Morente said.
He said Parra may also be considered “undesirable alien” for “blatantly” disregarding laws and disrespecting persons of authority of the country.
“Foreign nationals who are here in the country are expected to follow Philippine laws, especially in these special times wherein public health and safety are at risk. There is no exemption, whether you are living in a posh village, or in a slum area, you must obey the law,” said Morente.
“Aliens who disrespect symbols of our country and persons of authority are not welcome in the Philippines. Their sojourn here is a privilege, not a right. It is in the same manner that our kababayan who are living and working abroad respect the laws of their host country,” he added.
On April 26, Parra was involved in an armed confrontation with Senior Master Sergeant Roland Von Madrona of the Makati police in front of the latter’s house in Dasmariñas Subdivision in Makati City.
Based on the accounts of Madrona and Bantay Bayan Esteban Gaan of Barangay Dasmarinas, they were conducting patrolling in the said village when they chanced upon Parra’s household helper watering outside the house without a face mask, which was among the protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Madrona asked Parra’s helper to wear mask but the latter suddenly emerged from his house and hurled expletives against the police official.
The policeman tried to arrest the foreign national by pinning him down to the ground but he was able to escape and ran inside the house.
Morente said Parra was asked to submit a counter-affidavit to answer the reports against him, but he refused to receive the notice and disregarded the requirement, which was due last May 21.
“Our offices remained open to receive his response, but he failed to submit any,” he said.
Morente noted that the deportation case is a separate action from criminal cases that have been filed by the police against Parra.
The police has earlier filed charges for alleged violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Disobedience to a Lawful Person in Authority), Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act), and City Ordinance 2000-089, for not wearing a face mask against Parra. (SunStar Philippines)