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Send off activities for Sr Patricia Fox

President Rodrigo Duterte got his wish last November 3 when Sr. Patricia Ann Fox, NDS left the Philippines for Australia after the Bureau of Immigration recalled her missionary visa and refused to renew her visitors visa.

She was feted in a series of activities that day all the way to the airport by Church groups, sectoral organizations, lawyers and activists thanking her for her nearly three decades of service to the poor.

Watch this video of these activities. (Video by Joseph Cuevas)

Sr Pat to contest non-renewal of missionary visa

Lawyers of Australian missionary Sr Patricia Ann Fox, NDS said they will ask the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to reconsider its denial to renew or extend the nun’s visa.

Attys. Jobert Pahilga and Ma Sol Taule said that BI is mistaken in deciding Fox’s missionary visa has long expired, explaining the 10-year extension and renewal rule should only apply to her case on the day the BI converted her tourist visa on September 5, 2014.

“[When] the BI approved the conversion of Sister Fox’s tourist visa into a missionary visa, she was given a new or a fresh period of 10 years from the said date or until 2024 to stay in the country,” the lawyers said in a statement.

In an order dated September 13, the BI denied Fox’s application to renew or extend her missionary visa, saying her current visa has long expired.

The BI cited its the Memorandum of Agreement with the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines dated November 10, 1997 which restricts missionary visa holders for up to 10 years in the country.

The BI also said it has already issued a deportation order against the nun for her alleged violations of the conditions of her missionary visa and “undesirability”.

The BI’s orders are widely seen to have stemmed after President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated verbal attacks as well as accusations that the missionary has participated in rallies against his government.

Fox’s lawyers however said that the deportation order against Fox is not yet final and executory as it is under appeal with the Department of Justice.

“The decision to grant or deny the application for extension or renewal of her missionary visa should not be based and hinge on the order of deportation. And even Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the decision of the BI whether to extend her missionary visa will be ‘without prejudice to the resolution of her appeal,’” the lawyers said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Sr Pat’s lawyers explain next moves after deportation order

In a press conference after the Bureau of Immigration ordered Sr Patricia Fox’s deportation, her  volunteer lawyers explained their next moves to allow the nun to stay in the country.

Various political and sectoral organizations also expressed their support for the beleaguered nun.

During the press conference, Sr Pat broke into tears due the deluge of support she has been receiving since President Rodrigo Duterte threatened her with deportation.

Groups launch campaign for Sr Pat

Various church and sectoral groups launched a campaign to defend Sr Patricia Fox, NDS from what they call is a simple harassment by the Rodrigo Duterte government.

In a gathering at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Manila in Intramuros last April 30, speakers and performers said Sr Pat was a victim of lack of due process.

They gave testimonies of the nun’s missionary work in the Philippines, adding threats to deport her are “anti-Filipino and anti-poor.”

Supporters hold rally at BI for Australian missionary

Activists held a rally in front of the Bureau of Immgration in Manila last April 26, assailing the arrest and detention of Australian missionary Sr. Patricia Fox, NDS.

They called on immigration officials not to deport the nun, saying she has not violated her missionary visa in expressing solidarity with farmers and peasants.

The BI nonetheless ordered Fox’s deportation in line with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish to deport the missionary.