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‘I DECIDE WHO ENTERS, LEAVES’

Foreign critics to be arrested if they enter PHL secretly —Duterte


President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday told leftist organizations not to invite foreigners who are critical of the Philippine government, saying such unwanted visitors would be arrested if they entered the country secretly.

Duterte made the remark after saying that it was he who ordered Australian nun Sr. Patricia Fox investigated for supposedly disorderly conduct.

Fox has been in the country for 26 years, working with groups looking after the interests of peasants and indigenous peoples.

"Kayong mga left, do not ever, ever try to invite. I will not allow them in this country," Duterte said during his speech in the Armed Forces of the Philippines change of command ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"And if they decide to enter surreptitiously, they will be arrested. But if you come here, just deliver your piece about human rights in the proper way," he added.

Duterte said that it was up to him—not Congress nor the Supreme Court—who would be allowed into the country and who would be allowed to leave.

"Beginning today, I will decide who gets in, who gets out. You want to question that, you go to court and I will follow. But until then, you do not mess up with the sovereignty of this country," Duterte said.

Duterte admitted that he ordered an investigation on Fox for her supposed "disorderly conduct."

Fox was arrested on Monday for allegedly joining political activities in the Philippines. She was apprehended pursuant to a mission order issued by Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

The 71-year-old nun was released on Tuesday for further investigation after authorities found that she had a valid missionary visa. This made her a "properly documented alien." —NB, GMA News

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