Pimentel: BI ‘correct’ in ordering Australian nun to leave PH  

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has supported the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in ordering Australian nun Patricia Fox to leave the country within 30 days.

Pimentel said BI’s move was “correct” as it is within its power.

“I think that is within the power of our immigration bureau. Especially if the foreigner has violated some of our laws,” he said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.

“I don’t know the details of this particular case. But as to the theory being followed by the BID they are correct as they have such a power,” he added.

In a separate media forum, the Senate President said a foreigner should never interfere in the domestic politics of the country he or she is in.
“If you are a foreigner, do not interfere in the domestic politics where you are in. Including Filipinos, ganun din tayo ‘wag tayo makialam ‘pag nasa ibang bansa dahil I am sure, kahit hindi ko pa nababasa batas nila, bawal ‘yun. Domestic polices and rights are reserved sa local citizens,” Pimentel said at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

The BI forfeited on Monday Fox’s missionary visa, and directed her to leave the country within 30 days upon receipt of the order because of her alleged “involvement in partisan politics.”

READ: BI orders Australian nun Patricia Fox: Leave PH in 30 days

The 71-year-old nun was an active land reform and human rights advocate, and member of Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (Uma) and Pagkakaisa para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Patria).

She was reportedly visited by Immigration officers at her house in Quezon City last week, and invited to the BI office for a random check and verification of her immigration papers and status.

Prior to Fox’s arrest, the BI also detained and immediately deported Party of European Socialists (Pes) leader Giacomo Filibeck, who criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war in 2017. /kga