Lawyer: Sister Patricia Fox does not deserve this persecution

The camp of Sister Patricia Fox has expressed its disappointment with the Bureau of Immigration's order to deport the Australian nun.

"We are utterly dismayed by the resolution of the BI ordering the deportation of Sr. Patricia Fox and placing her name in the watchlist," Maria Sol Taule, one of Fox's lawyers, said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Taule noted that the government has no basis to claim that the 71-year-old nun was an "undesirable alien," adding that Fox does not deserve the "persecution."

"Sister Pat has been doing her missionary work in the Philippines for the past 27 years undisturbed by any deportation case. Helping the poor is not a risk to public interest, peace or order," Taule said.

"In fact, the government must recognize her selfless service to the oppressed sectors of this society," she added.

The BI, in a resolution dated July 19, said that Fox has to be deported for violating the limitations and conditions of her missionary visa by allegedly joining "political activities."

The agency also ordered the inclusion of her name in the bureau's blacklist.

Taule maintained that Fox's work was "not defiance to the government but a firm solidarity to all the struggles of the Filipino people."

"She has all the rights under domestic and international laws to exercise her freedom of religion and expression," she said.

Fox's other legal counsel, Jobert Pahilga, said they would appeal the BI's decision, and raise the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) if needed.

On June 18, the DOJ nullified the BI's order to forfeit Fox's missionary visa, noting that the missionary visa forfeiture was "without legal basis" and outside the BI's power. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News