Sister Teresita Alo greets Sister Patricia Fox (right) during a solidarity Mass in this file photo taken in April 2018. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Although not surprised, the House of Representatives Makabayan bloc condemned on Thursday the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) denial of the appeal of Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox to reinstate her missionary visa and continue her stay in the Philippines.
“Kinukundena po namin ito lalung-lalo na ‘yung intent nito, na alam naman natin for how many years ay nandito si sister Patricia Fox na nagse-serve lamang sa mga mahihirap na magsasaka at manggagawa, siya pa ngayon ‘yung under attack at nagtatranslate sa policy na paalisin, at siya po ay babae,” Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said in a press briefing.
(We condemned this especially the intent of this, even though we know how many years sister Patricia Fox had been here serving the poor, farmers and workers, she had become under attack that has been translated into a policy to kick her out, and she is a woman.)
Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, in a statement, said they had already expected the outcome of the BI’s decision, given that President Rodrigo Duterte had criticized Fox in his previous speaking engagements.
For his part, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate urged Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to look into the 71-year-old nun’s case, saying it poses a “dangerous precedence” in what political and partisan activities may mean.
“Nananawagan tayo kay Justice Secretary Guevarra na tingnan impartially ang isyung ito dahil ang tingin ko ang BI ay sarado na ang kanilang mata. Kung sinasabi na siya ay nag-enage sa political activities nung nagbigay siya ng solidarity message sa mga manggagawa ng Coca-cola, that is not partisan or political activity,” Zarate pointed out.
(We are calling the attention of Justice Secretary Guevarra to look into this issue impartially because I think BI has put a blind eye on this. They are saying that she engaged in a political activity when she issued a solidarity message to the workers of Coca-cola, that is not partisan or political activity.)
“Napaka-dangerous ng ginawa ng Immigration na dine-define nila what is a political activity, masyado nila inistretch ‘yung definition especially sa mga perceived nila as critics ng gobyerno,” he added.
(It is dangerous for the Immigration to define what is a political activity, they are stretching the definition of this too far against those perceived critics of the government.)
On Wednesday, the BI affirmed its decision to expel Fox for her alleged participation in partisan politics and activities.
The Immigration also warned the peasant advocate that they would file another deportation case against her if she refuses to leave the country by Friday, May 25.
READ: BI affirms its leave order vs. Sister Patricia Fox /
BI tells Sister Fox: Leave PH by May 25 or face another deportation case
But Fox maintained her ground as her lawyer, Atty. Jobert Pahilga, said she would not leave the country anytime soon and that they would exhaust all available legal remedies against the forfeiture of her missionary visa.
“For the said order, if not challenged, will have far-reaching implications to other missionaries similarly situated with Sister Pat as the BI can now rule and decide what activity is considered political or not,” Pahilga said in a statement. /jpv
READ: Sister Patricia Fox defiant, refuses to leave PH