The recent move of the government against two foreign activists would only create more insinuations that it is covering up something, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.
He raised alarm over the recent deportation of European Union Socialist Party official, Giacomo Filibeck who was included in the blacklist order due to an alleged participation in illegal political activities. This was followed by the arrest of an Australian nun, Sister Patricia Fox, who was nabbed by immigration officials in her house in Quezon City. Both are known as advocates of human rights.
Pangilinan said this move of the government has already become a trend and may rouse the public to think that the administration could be hiding something.
“The emerging trend on crackdown against foreign activists in the country is alarming as exhibited by the harassment and casual arrests of the two human rights advocates, who were not even in protest activities or rallies when taken into custody,” he said.
“These incidents will trigger more questions on what the government is trying to conceal,” he added.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 04/ 17/18)