TROY Rike, a Fil-American basketball player of National University in the UAAP, claimed he was arrested and detained for over 24 hours by agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) over questions about his nationality.
In an interview aired on CNN Philippines' Sportsdesk on Friday, the 22-year-old revealed details of a traumatic experience he went through after BI agents took him in last Wednesday right after the Bulldogs' 80-76 defeat to La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"It was tough, I’m not gonna lie. I was a bit emotional. I’ve never been arrested before,” said the 6-7 Rike, who arrived in the country just last May to beef up the Gilas Pilipinas cadets after a stint in the US NCAA Division I.
According to Rike, BI agents questioned him about his nationality following a complaint sent to their office, just weeks after the UAAP cleared his eligibility after he secured a certificate of recognition for his claim to Filipino citizenship.
He secured that document through the Department of Justice (DOJ), which needed him to fly to the United States just to beat the set deadline.
"The argument was I entered with an American passport, which I did, and then, I’m studying. (They said), 'He’s an American.' How could he study if he didn’t get our approval?'" he recounted.
Rike said he was forced to stay for the night at the BI Office in Pasay City before being released late Thursday afternoon after his lawyers furnished all the necessary documents proving his nationality.
The NU player said the situation could've been handled better, hinting about a motive behind his arrest.
“I don’t think, at least in my mind, that they just went and arrested that person. They could have sent me an email, a letter, or anything. I would’ve showed up on a legal hearing. There is a bunch of other ways that, I think, could’ve been resulted way better."
"I was detained against my will for over 24 hours. I slept on the floor, I don’t know what was going on. I had to be escorted on the way to the bathroom and on the way back, the guard asked to have a selfie with me. I guess there was some funny moments, but overall, it was a really crazy argument," he bared.
Rike, who earned praise for protecting Australia's Chris Goulding at the height of a brawl last July, said the ordeal made him rethink his decision to play in his mother's homeland after wrapping up his stint with Wake Forest in the US NCAA.
“I’m questioning my whole future here. I’m a basketball player. I don’t even know what I’m doing. It was pretty surreal," said Rike, who was joined by two NU officials during his time at the BI office.
Rike said he is in no way an illegal alien.
"This is in no way to offend or go against the people who directly handled me there. They were very nice, very respectful,” he said, opting not to pursue any case against the BI. "Everyone was very respectful."
Despite this sad experience, Rike vowed to pursue his plan to play in the country.
“I think there are people who don’t want me to play or have selfish interests, whatever that may be. At least, that’s my understanding because everything I’ve been told, it’s just common sense. This just doesn’t happen to people," he said.
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