Palace shows photo of Australian nun speaking at rally

Malacañang on Friday rejected claims that Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox never spoke in rallies she had attended.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque presented in his press briefing an alleged photo of Fox speaking at a rally organized by the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela party-list in front of the Coca-Cola distribution center in Ulas, Davao City, on April 9.

“I heard the CBCP [Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines] say that Sister Fox although she attends rallies has never spoken in rallies. Well I now have a picture...Malinaw na malinaw po na kasama po siya, may hawak po siyang mikropono,” the Palace official said.

“I am just telling the bishops, hindi po sinabi ni Sister Fox sa inyo ang buong katotohanan. Ito po ang larawan.”

The CBCP, through its president Archbishop Romulo Valles, on Thursday expressed concern over Fox’s arrest and detention and said that Filipino bishops are ready to provide her “assistance and support with regards to the situation.”

Valles’ statement, however, did not delve into the Australian missionary’s involvement in alleged partisan political activities.

On the same day, Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao claimed Fox never spoke at any rally, and that she was a very gentle person who never gets angry.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents on Monday arrested Fox at her home in Quezon City for allegedly violating the conditions of her stay by engaging in political activities and anti-government demonstrations.

The 71-year-old missionary was released the next day after her lawyer presented a valid missionary visa and passport.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that it was he who ordered Fox investigated for supposedly disorderly conduct.

Fox's arrest came after the entry denial and eventual blacklisting of an Italian political party official for allegedly criticizing Duterte's war against illegal drugs.

Roque said Fox is now under preliminary investigation, which would determine if she should be subjected to deportation proceedings.

This is not the first time a foreign national was detained in the country over similar issues.

In 2013, a Dutch activist was arrested by government authorities after he got caught in photos taunting a crying policeman during a protest against then-President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address.

According to Roque, Fox herself was also previously detained by immigration authorities in 2013 for reportedly participating in a farmers’ protest in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

The nun has been in the Philippines for nearly three decades helping peasants and indigenous people. —KBK/NB, GMA News