The Philippines has filed a deportation charge against Spanish citizen Javier Salvador Parra, the man assaulted and nearly arrested in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City for allegedly violating quarantine rules.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on May 22 it has charged Parra for "undesirability" and for "overstaying.” Apparently, Parra failed to extend his visa and has been overstaying in the Philippines.
According to the BI, legal officers ordered Parra to submit a counter-affidavit to answer the charge filed against him but he "reportedly refused to receive the notice and disregarded the requirement." The document was due on May 21.
“Foreign nationals who are here in the country are expected to follow Philippine laws, especially in these special times wherein public health and safety is at risk. There is no exemption, whether you are living in a posh village, or in a slum area, you must obey the law,” BI chief Jaime Morente said in a statement.
On April 26, Parra had a confrontation with Makati policeman Senior Master Sergeant Roland Madrona after the officer noticed Parra’s household help was not wearing a mask while watering plants outside the house.
Madrona warned the helper that failure to wear a mask carrried a P1,000 fine.
Parra claimed the task was being performed inside his property. He berated and cursed Madrona and ordered him to leave. Madrona then made a move to arrest Parra, resulting in injuries for the latter.
Videos of the encounter made the rounds of the Internet. On it, Parra’s wife is heard begging Madrona to stop, saying Parra has a back injury. Madrona ceased and left.
As more people saw the video, questions of Parra’s residency, citizenship, and visa popped up. This prompted the BI to look into the matter.
“Upon investigation by our intelligence division, it was confirmed that he has failed to extend and has already overstayed his visa,” Morente said.
Aside from the deportation charge, Madrona also earlier filed a separate criminal complaint against Parra for unjust vexation, disobedience, assault, violating quarantine rules, and not wearing a face mask.
