2 Chinese arrested for assaulting President’s brother-in-law

MANILA, Philippines—Aviation police arrested on Saturday two unruly foreigners, said to be Chinese, and 10 others after an alleged mid-flight scrap with a brother-in-law of President Benigno Aquino, officials said.

The suspects, described by police sources as Chinese citizens, flew to Cebu on a domestic flight that also carried Aquino’s elder sister Maria Elena “Ballsy” Cruz and her husband Eldon Cruz, airport manager Nigel Paul Villarete said.

Police field reports reaching Camp Crame indicated that the two Chinese, Han Yan, 31, and Mailiyasi, 33, were being disruptive during what was supposed to be a “fun game” on a Cebu Pacific flight  that resulted in an altercation with Eldon Cruz.

Police sources in Cebu said one of those under investigation grabbed Cruz’s neck to choke him when the latter asked the group to tone down their voices in mid-flight.

Airport police detained the two upon arriving at the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, said PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr.

Their 10 companions, two of them are women, were allowed to go after questioning, police in Cebu said.

“We are monitoring the investigation,” Villarete added.

Chinese embassy spokesman Sun Yi did not return enquiries by Agence France-Presse in Manila. With a report from Agence France-Presse