Immigration deports Fox

“Fox had denied engaging in political activities saying her missionary work involves dealing with farmers, indigenous peoples, and victims of social injustice.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday ordered the deportation of controversial missionary nun Sister Patricia Fox citing her participation in political activities as basis.

The order contained in a resolution dated July 19, 2018 also cited as reasons her violation of her missionary visa and her being an undesirable alien.

The order sending the 71-year-old Fox back to Australia further blacklisted her and barred her from returning to the country.

Fox has been in the Philippines for 27 years doing pro-peasant and pro-human rights works, which the BI considered as outside of her missionary duties approved by the bureau.

Her failure to inform the bureau of her “political activities” constitute a violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, according to the agency.

The nun was arrested and detained in April reportedly on the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, who accused her of “disorderly conduct.”

Fox’s lawyer, Jobert Pahilga, plans to appeal the deportation order.

Last month, the Department of Justice (DoJ) overturned an earlier BI order forfeiting her missionary visa due to a technicality. Instead, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the BI to hear the visa cancellation and deportation case the bureau already commenced against Fox.

Fox had denied engaging in political activities saying her missionary work involves dealing with farmers, indigenous peoples, and victims of social injustice.

A Facebook page from a group of supporters of the nun, Hands off Sr. Patricia Fox, posted a message Thursday night as follows:

“We are utterly dismayed by the resolution of the BI ordering the deportation of Sr. Patricia Fox and placing her name in the watchlist.”

“Sr. Pat has been doing her missionary work in the Philippines for the past 27 years undisturbed by any deportation case. Helping the poor is not a risk to public interest, peace or order. In fact, the government must recognize her selfless service to the oppressed sectors of this society.”

The post added, “President Duterte and the BI have no basis to say that Sr. Pat is an undesirable alien, unless their definition of undesirability is helping the poor.”

“Sr. Pat does not deserve this kind of persecution.”

“Sr. Pat’s missionary work is not defiance to the government but a firm solidarity to all the struggles of the Filipino people. She has all the rights under domestic and international laws to exercise her freedom of religion and expression.”

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