(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A 71-year-old Australian missionary ordered expelled from the Philippines for allegedly engaging in political activities has received a reprieve from deportation, her lawyer said yesterday.
The Department of Justice stayed an order by the Bureau of Immigration for nun Patricia Fox to leave the country after her missionary visa was cancelled on April 23, attorney Jobert Pahilga said.
The justice department's action 'removes the anxiety and concern that she will be arrested anytime by the agents of the bureau while the deportation is being appealed, Pahilga added.
Before she was ordered expelled, Fox, from the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, was detained for 24 hours in April after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an investigation into her activities.
The immigration bureau later ruled that Fox was 'found to have engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa, particularly participating in protests.
Fox has said that she only participated in protests advocating for human rights and denied joining anti-government rallies.
Philippine officials have stressed that foreigners are expected to follow the limitations of their visas and exercising political rights is not one of the privileges when visiting the country.
In April, immigration authorities deported European politician Giacomo Filibeck when he was barred from entering the Philippines as the guest of a local socialist party.
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