By JUN RAMIREZ, with a report from Chito Chavez
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) released from its custody yesterday Sister Patricia Fox, an Australian missionary, a day after she was apprehended pursuant to a mission order that Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued due to reports that she violated the conditions of her stay by engaging in political activities and anti-government demonstrations.
Morente approved the recommendation of the BI legal division headed by lawyer Arvin Cesar Santos that Fox be released for further investigation after it was established that the Australian nun holds a valid missionary visa and, thus, she is a properly documented alien.
Fox reportedly submitted her passport and other immigration documents showing that she was issued her missionary visa on Oct. 15 last year and that said visa is valid until Sept. 9 this year.
In a two-page recommendation to Morente, Santos noted that while Fox was alleged to have taken part in protest actions by farmers in the past, she was not doing so at the time when BI operatives served her the mission order yesterday.
Santos averred that Fox is not covered by inquest proceedings as the latter will only apply to aliens arrested after being caught in flagrante violating immigration laws.
He said that under BI rules, Fox should undergo preliminary investigation to determine if deportation charges should be filed against her before the bureau’s board of commissioners.
DENOUNCED
Earlier, a church group joined human rights organizations and some lawmakers in denouncing the arrest and detention of Fox.
In a statement, the Promotion of Church People’s Response insisted that Fox’s arrest was “without due process and respect for her fundamental rights and rights as a Church person.”
“Impelled by the Christian faith and the mandate of the Church, she has obediently accepted the mission of preaching the Good News and be in solidarity with the poor. Inspired by Church teachings and especially encouraged by Pope Francis’ admonition to be Church of the Poor and be present at the periphery, Sr. Pat “gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty,” the group said. “She visited the sick and those in prison”. She lives simply and works tirelessly with the poor,” the group said.
“When has it become a crime for Church people to exercise their right to preach the Gospel and be in solidarity with the poor?” it added.
Fox was nabbed on Monday in her house in Project 3, Quezon City, allegedly for joining rallies and protest actions against the government’s supposed human rights violations.
