‘Despicable, shameful’: Critics slam order for Australian nun to leave Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Critics of the government denounced the Bureau of Immigration’s order to cancel the missionary visa of Sr. Patricia Fox and expel her from the Philippines, saying such move would further promote the climate of impunity in the country.

In a statement, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said that the BI’s decision is the “act of reprisal” of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime on the work and advocacy of the 71-year-old nun.

“Only those who despise the poor despise someone like Sr. Pat and would want her out of the Philippines. Only those who have the most to hide will gain from her removal from the country,” he said.

Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay also said that the expulsion of Fox was a result of Duterte’s tirades against her last week.

“The Duterte regime is paranoid and afraid of an elderly nun who has spent the last 27 years working for human rights and social justice for the poor. The expulsion of Sr. Pat is indeed despicable and utterly shameful,” Palabay said.

BI on Wednesday said Fox lost the privilege of holding a missionary visa after she allegedly engaged in partisan political activities.

Last week, Duterte blasted the lay missionary for her supposed vocal criticism of the government and admitted it was him who ordered her investigation.

READ: Despite deportation order, Sister Patricia Fox vows to continue helping marginalized

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Sen. Francis Pangilinan called the deportation “most deplorable.”

“Harassing human rights advocates and faith-based organizations and individuals may succeed in the short run but it will eventually fail,” the Liberal Party president said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros questioned why the move of the government to expel a nun when it allows China to continue its incursions and drug lords to roam free.

“It is disheartening as a Filipino that the country’s president chooses to be a “Deporter-in-Chief” to his perceived critics than a real Commander-in-Chief against actual threats to the country’s sovereignty and national security,” she said.

She then urged the BI to review and overturn its decision.

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, for his part, said that he would file a resolution to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreigners.

“Now, more than ever, we need our laws to protect the rights of the people willing to stand up to power and speak out against injustices,” he said.

Fox’s deportation case is still pending before its special prosecutor as she has yet to file her counter-affidavit.

Her legal counsel, Jobert Pahilga, said that they would first file a motion for reconsideration before the Immigration to contest the order. But should it deny their appeal, they would take the case to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, if needed.