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Malaca?ang said on Monday that Vice President Leni Robredo should refrain from further giving statements that would "inflame" emotions regarding the "taho-throwing" incident by a Chinese woman at a police officer in a train station.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Jiale Zhang, 23, is already facing criminal complaint, which could lead to her possible deportation.

"Maybe it's a wake up call for her to stop speculating and stop giving statements that may inflame incidents that need not be so," he said.

Robredo earlier said the throwing of taho at Police Officer 1 William Cristobal, who was helping to secure Metro Rail Transit Line 3 at Boni Station in Mandaluyong City last Saturday, was not only an insult to the cop but to the entire Filipinos.

She added that the incident could be a wake up call amid reports that jobs supposedly for Filipinos went to the Chinese who are in the country.

The Duterte administration has taken a softer stance with China over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Echoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Panelo said, "Let us not blow up this issue."

He said similar incident happens almost anywhere.

"Let us not make a big fuss out of it. Moreover she (Zhang) has been charged, one. Number 2, I think they are considering her deportation," he said.

Panelo also reminded, not only the Chinese but other foreigners as well, to respect Philippine laws.

"But foreign nationals who sojourn in this country should always behave otherwise they are subject to laws and deportation. We will not allow them to disrespect authorities or violate any law or ordinance in this country," he said.

Zhang threw taho at Cristobal after the latter reminded the foreigner to finish first her soya pudding before entering the station because bringing any liquid inside the train is prohibited.

However, the Chinese, instead of heeding the reminder of the police officer, threw the taho at him. Celerina Monte/DMS