Australian nun Patricia Fox denies joining ‘partisan political activities’

Australian Catholic nun Sister Patricia Fox on Wednesday, April 18, denied allegations that she is involved in “partisan political activities.” (Photo: Roy Lagarde/CBCP News)

Australian Catholic nun Sister Patricia Fox on Wednesday, April 18, denied allegations that she is involved in “partisan political activities.”

Speaking to ANC, Atty. Jobert Pahilga, Fox’s lawyer, said officers of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed them photos from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Region 11 showing that Fox allegedly attended an anti-government rally.

“She was shown a picture together with farmers who were detainees and another picture show that she is standing in the street so I asked what exactly are the charges against her,” Pahilga noted.

Responding to the accusations, Fox said that she went in Tagum City to visit political prisoners and not to take part in the rally. The other photo, she said, was when she visited contractual workers who had been terminated by a soft drinks company.

“I went there to find out about the situation and also to give them support. The social teaching of the Catholic Church says there’s a right to unionize, right for just wages, right for security of tenure. And being there in solidarity with them,” she said.

Fox’s arrest came after an official of the Party of European Socialists (PES) was barred by immigration officials in Cebu to enter the Philippines on April 15, Sunday. The nun stressed that her case is different from Giacomo Filibeck, deputy secretary-general of the PES, who was supposed to attend an event of a local political party.

While denying that she was engaged in partisan political activities, Fox admitted that she had contact with Left-leaning groups as her missionary work involves farmers, indigenous peoples (IPs), and social injustice victims.

“We work with organized groups who are working for social justice. Often, groups working for justice are labeled Left. Like if you want, land rights, you’re Left. But to me, it’s just basic human social justice issue… It’s very consistent with the teaching of the church,” she explained.

“We’ve always tried to remind the church that the promise to people is the kingdom of justice, peace, and love, which means you work for human rights, social justice, and improve livelihood of people,” she added.

Fox was released on Tuesday, April 18, “for further investigation” after spending the night in detention. She was arrested by six immigration authorities at their mission house in Quezon City at around 2 p.m. on April 16, Monday, over allegations that she is an “undesirable alien.”

According to Pahilga, the NICA is given five days to submit additional proof that Fox was indeed engaged in political parties. Afterwards, Fox’s camp will be given 10 days to file their counter-affidavit to refute the allegations.

Fox’s counsel said that they knew the BI has the power to detain a foreigner; however, they should have at least sent a notice first to Fox so she can explain her position.

The missionary nun, addressing the authorities, said, “Sana drop the case na, ‘yan lang naman ang sabihin ko (I hope the case will be dropped, that is all I have to say).” She also expressed gratitude to the immigration officials for treating her well while she was still in detention and thanked those who supported her.