Palace says Australian nun spoke in rallies, recent was in Davao City

April 20, 2018

Australian nun Patricia Fox joined and even spoke in rallies in the country, Malacanang said on Friday.

This was contrary to the statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines that although she attended rallies, she never spoke, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing Friday.

He showed a photo of the foreign missionary while holding a microphone in a rally on April 9 organized by militant Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela party-list in front of  the Coca-Cola Distribution Center at Ulas in Davao City.

"There you have it, Sister Fox speaking in the strike at Coca-Cola, Davao City, Ulas, Davo City," he said.

Roque said Fox is under the normal procedure of preliminary investigation to determine if she will be subject to deportation proceeding.

"I am just telling the bishops, 'Sister Fox did not tell the truth to you'...she's always talking in the rallies," he said.

He recalled that in 2013, Fox was arrested when she spoke in a protest in Hacienda Luisita.

Fox was detained by the Bureau of Immigration on April 16, but released a day later after it was confirmed she had a valid missionary visa.

Government officials said foreigners are barred from joining partisan political activities in the country. Celerina Monte/DMS