Photo credit: BI

In a significant development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) received custody of the four foreigners who were apprehended for disrespecting the Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Ternate turned over the three Pakistani nationals and one Romanian citizen to the BI on Friday.

The incident, which occurred on June 26, gained widespread attention when a member of the Philippine Marine Corps witnessed the four individuals pulling down the Philippine flag, tearing it apart, and callously discarding it in clear violation of Republic Act 8491, the law that protects the national flag and other national symbols.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco has expressed strong condemnation of the foreigners' actions, emphasizing the importance of respecting the country's laws. Commissioner Tansingco stated, "Foreign nationals staying here must respect our country and our laws. Foreigners destroying symbols of our country show utmost disrespect and do not deserve our hospitality."

Following a preliminary investigation, all four individuals were transferred to the BI's Warden Facility in Taguig. The BI is now set to pursue a deportation case against the foreign nationals, seeking to ensure that such acts of disrespect are not tolerated and that those responsible face the appropriate legal consequences.