Mandaluyong prosecutors to charge Chinese student with direct assault on cop

February 12, 2019

The Mandaluyong City prosecutor's office on Tuesday  will file direct assault charges against a Chinese student who threw a cup of soya at a policeman in a Metro Rail Transit 3 on Saturday.

In an inquest resolution, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Leynard Dumlao found probable cause to charge Zhang Jiale with direct assault against PO1 William Cristobal at the MRT-3 Boni Station.

Under the Revised Penal Code, Zhang might face six months up to six years imprisonment if a court finds her guilty of  direct assault.

Zhang was barred from entering the station's platform as transport authorities ordered passengers not to bring any liquids starting last week. She was asked to consume it before entering the train but she threw the cup  at Cristobal. 

"[T]he throwing of the cup of "taho" to complainant (PO1 Cristobal), then in uniform is considered deliberate and serious defiance to a police officer who was performing his duties at that time," read the resolution also signed by City Prosecutor Bernabe Augustus Solis.

"It is offensive both by legal and moral norm considering that there was no provocation on the part of the police officers," it continued. 

The Mandaluyong City prosecutor's office dropped cases of disobedience to an agent or person of authority and unjust vexation filed against the 23-year-old Chinese student. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS