CEBU, Philippines - They were invited to come to promote Cebu’s tourist attractions in their country.
But upon their arrival yesterday morning, they were immediately held for investigation for hours after an alleged mid-flight scrap with a brother-in-law of President Aquino.
Chinese journalists Yang Han and Mailyasi were later turned over to the Bureau of Immigration office in Manila.
The two were part of a group of 12 journalists that flew yesterday morning to Cebu from Manila on a domestic flight that also carried Aquino’s elder sister Maria Elena “Ballsy” Cruz and her husband Eldon Cruz.
But an altercation erupted when one of them accidentally hit Cruz while snapping pictures inside the plane.
Reports said Cruz asked them to be careful with their cameras. But a commotion ensued when one of the Chinese reportedly stepped on Cruz’s foot while another one grabbed his collar.
Police Senior Superintendent Arturo Evangelista, deputy director for administration of the PNP Aviation Security Group, said the incident took place while the Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 563 was approaching the Mactan Cebu International Airport around 9 a.m.
It was learned that Cruz and his wife flew to Cebu to attend the wedding of a daughter of the Chiongbian family.
A flight attendant, Loreen Catimbang, told Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) investigators that she noticed Cruz advising the Chinese nationals before the commotion.
Flight attendants were able to pacify the Chinese but the airplane pilot informed the Mactan airport officials about the incident.
During investigation, Yang Han and Mailyasi were identified as the ones who attacked Cruz.
The ten other Chinese, who were released after a brief questioning, decided to stay with the two, who were investigated for at least seven hours.
Yang Han and Mailyasi later agreed to return to China, boarding a 5:25 p.m. flight for Manila. They were escorted by an agent of the Bureau of Immigration.
Officials of the Chinese Consular office in Cebu were present during the investigation.
Evangelista said no complaint was filed against the two as Cruz and his wife did not show up during the investigation. The couple reportedly returned to Manila around 4:35 p.m.
The Chinese journalists reportedly flew to Cebu upon the invitation of the Department of Tourism to promote the province in their country as a tourist destination. But Department of Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, when asked by reporters, refused to confirm the invitation.
In a radio interview, Ballsy confirmed the incident but said they did not want to create a big issue out of it.
Airport General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete said the PCAS personnel followed procedures in the investigation into the incident.
He said the incident did not cause further commotion at the airport.
The FREEMAN learned that Evangelista, who was assigned in Manila, was directed by his superiors to oversee the investigation.
The Department of Justice sent Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalani and Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor Evangeline Gicale for possible inquest proceedings. — With Niña G. Sumacot, AP/LPM (FREEMAN)