Australian nun says Palace photo showing her speaking is not a rally, but a ‘press con’

Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox on Saturday disputed the Palace photo showing her speaking at a rally organized by a militant labor group, saying the event was actually a "press conference."

"If he's referring to the Coca-Cola incident in Davao. It wasn't a rally, it was meant to be a press conference but because there are many other things going on, there was no press," Fox told reporters at a briefing in Quezon City, disputing what was earlier disclosed by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

On Friday, Roque presented 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, as he belied claims by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines that the nun has never spoken in rallies.

Fox said she was merely giving a "solidarity message" to the workers, who called for a press conference.

The Australian nun said the groups supporting the workers of Coco-Cola - who were dispersed and some were arrested after organizing a rally - wanted to hold a press conference then and invited her.

"I was expecting it was indoors, but when I got to the place it was outdoors and there was no press there... there were about a group of workers, about 30 or something, they want me to say something in support of them," she said.

"So, I told them that I was really feeling bad for them as far as I know ... they were put off, their contract was canceled after they organized," the nun said.

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.

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