Lawyer: DOJ ordering BI to answer Fox plea may halt arrest, deportation of nun

Sister Patricia Fox. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

The camp of embattled Sister Patricia Fox welcomed on Friday the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) order for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to answer their petition asking to reverse the revocation of the Australian nun’s missionary visa.

Lawyer Jobert Pahilga, counsel for the 71-year-old missionary, said that the BI would now be unable to “arrest nor deport” Fox.

“That’s a welcome development. It means the BI could not arrest nor deport sister Pat as the DOJ has already taken cognizance of our appeal,” Pahilga told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

READ: DOJ chief orders BI to answer Fox petition

“The appeal and DOJ order (would) stay the execution of BI order canceling her missionary visa,” the lawyer said. /jpv