Zarate welcomes release order for Australian missionary

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Tuesday welcomed the order to release detained 71-year-old Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox, and urged the public to remain vigilant against the harassment of human rights defenders.

"This is welcome news but  we have to be vigilant against these increasing harassment, strong-arm tactics and vilification moves against human rights defenders by the present administration," Zarate said in a statement.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that Fox has been ordered released from their custody for further investigation. This was after authorities found she holds a valid missionary visa.

Several lawmakers have condemned the BI over Fox's arrest and detention.

"This can be a very loose pretext by the Duterte regime for nabbing anyone who stands up for human rights and against the attacks on civil liberties,” said Gabriela Women's Party Representative Emmi De Jesus.

Senator Nancy Binay, meanwhile, questioned how Fox, an Australian religious person who has been helping peasants and indigenous peoples for 27 years, can be considered a "threat to society."

Zarate said the crackdown on rights defenders should stop already.

"Otherwise, this administration will only face further resentment and  isolation from the people, locally and internationally," he said. — BM, GMA News