Immigration ‘clearly’ wants Fox out of PHL, Australian nun’s lawyer says

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) "clearly" wants to expel Australian missionary Patricia Fox out of the country in a continued display of the government's "persecution" of human rights defenders, one of her lawyers said Monday.

Lawyer Katherine Panguban slammed as "whimsical and arbitrary," albeit "not surprising," the bureau's recent decision denying their appeal against an earlier rejection of Fox's request for the extension of her missionary visa, which expired last month.

"Clearly, the BI wants her out of the country, discontinue her missionary work for the poor Filipinos, and silence her unwavering call for justice, accountability and protection of human rights, without even laying the basis for such decision," Panguban said in a statement.

"The BI has long prejudged the case of Sr. Pat that it consciously turns a blind eye and deaf ears to reason and evidence, and give in to the whims and caprice of its master in Malacañang," the lawyer said.

The denial of Fox's motion for reconsideration came with an order for her to apply for a temporary visitor's visa, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

Fox is also awaiting the resolution of her challenge to a BI-issued deportation against her before the Department of Justice.

She is accused of violating the terms of her missionary visa and of being an undesirable alien by joining "political activities." She admits to joining gatherings of farmers and indigenous peoples, but argues her participation is legal and part of her missionary work.

'Persecution' of rights defenders

Panguban said the recent BI order reflects the Duterte administration's policy against persons critical of its human rights record.

She cited the cases of Australian professor Gill Boehringer, who was barred from entering the country for allegedly joining a rally; and three foreign Methodist missionaries who were deported and blacklisted for their supposed involvement in "leftist activities."

"...Duterte has used for his selfish interests the deadly combination of iron fist and the legal labyrinth to deviously skirt around people's rights and quell dissent. Indeed, these cases illustrate the State's persecution of human rights defenders," she said.

The BI has previously denied it was cracking down on foreign missionaries, explaining that religious workers are welcome and appreciated "as long as the visa is not abused for purposes of joining partisan political activities."

A BI operations order issued in 2015 prohibits foreigners from "engaging in any political activity" -- such as rallies, assemblies or gatherings, "whether for or against the government" -- while in the Philippines. Violators of the order will be subject to deportation proceedings. — RSJ, GMA News