DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration arrested and detained a 71-year-old Australian nun who has championed human rights in the Philippines for 27 years.
The nun, identified as Sister Patricia Fox, was arrested as six Immigration agents went to her home Quezon City, Monday, at about 2:00 in the afternoon. April 16, 2018
Fox, a nun from the Notre Dame de Sion said “I’ve been in and out of the country several times but I’ve never been questioned. The immigration bureau has not said anything on what to do with my missionary visa.”
Fox recently joined an international fact-finding and solidarity mission in Mindanao. Her work involves helping farmers and indigenous peoples.
Immigration spokesperson, Antonette Mangrobang confirmed the apprehension of Fox, saying it was “Pursuant to a Mission Order issued by Commissioner Jaime Morente.”
“The apprehending officers are still in the process of completing their reports, documentation and affidavit of arrest. We await the submission of the reports and affidavits before we issue our official statement,” she added.
“I was only ordered to come here. The order says to go to Immigration. At first I was told about my status,” she said in a telephone interview.
Fox, is held at the Intelligence Division of the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila. The BI is asking Fox to produce her passport before she could be released.
Fox, missionary visa will expire on September. She said that the last time she joined a rally was last March during the Women’s Day rally.
“I was at the last Women’s Day march in Manila. I have not spoken anything anti-Duterte,” she added..
It can be recalled that Fox was detained by the Aquino administration in 2013 during protests in Hacienda Luisita but was released without charges. –ezc/Newsline.Ph with report from PNA
