A police officer who was allegedly thrown a cup of soya by a Chinese student in a Metro Rail Transit-3 station last Saturday after she refused to heed an order no liquid is allowed was given a medal of commendation during the Philippine National Police (PNP) flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

"I think his act is worthy of emulation. Highlight is one good deed, one commendable act," PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in an ambush interview with reporters at Camp Crame.

"At least we are proud that very action of PO1 (William) Cristobal is very commendable. It is better that he showed to the public how disciplined and patience our police now. And regardless whether it is local or foreigner, we don't look at that. We look (at) one commendable act of our police," said Albayalde.

Jiale Zhang, a Chinese national, was said to have a cup of soya at Cristobal Saturday morning after he reminded the foreign passenger of a no-liquid inside trains policy. He asked her to finish drinking the soya before she could enter at MRT 3 train station in Mandaluyong City.

Albayalde reminded the public, especially foreigners, they have to obey the law just like Filipinos do in other countries.

"They have to respect our culture, the way we respect their culture also and also the laws of the land. If it is really prohibited then, we should really follow because this is part of our security measures," he said.

The National Capital Region Police Office on Sunday said they will recommend to the Bureau of Immigration to declare Zhang as an "undesirable alien".

NCR Police Director Guillermo Eleazar said it was "offensive" to a man in uniform to be disrespected while doing his job.

Cristobal a filed formal complaint at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office against Zhang.

The Chinese student is facing charges of direct assault, disobedience to a person of authority and unjust vexation after Cristobal formally filed the complaint. Ella Dionisio/DMS