Let Sr. Pat stay in Philippines!

Organization of families of political prisoners Hustisya called on the Bureau of Immigration to revert its decision ordering Australian missionary Sr. Patricia Fox to leave the country in 30 days. Saying that even considering Sr. Pat a visitor and only be given a tourist visa is unjust, the group demanded to let Sr. Pat to stay in the Philippines.

Sr. Pat is no tourist. She might not even want to be considered as such. She stayed and worked in the Philippines not just for the beauty of the country, but even for its ills. All these do not warrant her of the treatment and repression being done by immigration authorities and the Duterte government.

Gloria Almonte, secretary general of Hustisya, shared how Sr. Pat joined their solidarity fasting in support of Free All Political Prisoners campaign in December 2016 in Mendiola, and how she would tirelessly visit prisoners and even allow herself to be subject to search and frisking by jail guards like visiting prisoners’ relatives.

We shamelessly declare how Sr. Pat supported the plight of political prisoners in the Philippines. She shared our plea that they are not criminals, but right advocates working for the betterment of our people. Like Filipino political prisoners, Sr. Pat is now treated as an outcast, an undesirable, for her outstanding work for the poor and marginalized here. She is one with them regardless of nationality.

Moves to single out Sr. Pat is an act of cowardice of the Duterte government’s non-adherence to agreements like the long-overdue release of the now 500 political prisoners in the country.

Aside from attempts to silence Sr. Pat’s work with the poor farmers of the country, the Duterte government does not want the world to know that it is further violating people’s rights by keeping 500 political prisoners in jail with trumped up charges, and arresting more while in power.

By standing with them, she earned the ire of this administration, citing even a religious act of fasting as a political activity.

We call on all rights advocates and supporters of political prisoners to rally behind Sr. Pat and demand to let her stay in the country as a religious worker.

We appeal to Filipinos who advocate for justice to rally behind Sr. Pat and show the Duterte government that it is the one that’s undesirable and deserve to be isolated and condemned.

Gloria Almonte,

Secretary General

Hustisya