(Eagle News)–The picture that shows Australian nun Patricia Fox holding a microphone was taken during a press conference not a rally.
Fox made the claim in a press conference on Saturday, April 21.
“It wasn’t a rally, it was meant to be a press conference but because there are many other things going on, there was no press,” she said.
She said she was expecting the press conference to be “indoors.”
“But when I got to the place it was outdoors and there was no press there… there were about a group of workers, about 30 or something, they want me to say something in support of them..So, I told them that I was really feeling bad for them,” she added.
In showing the picture of Fox holding the microphone on Friday, April 20, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Fox spoke in rallies, contrary to a statement by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Fox was arrested on Monday, April 16, for her alleged violation of immigration laws.
Roque said Philippine laws provide foreigners cannot engage in “political partisan activities.”
President Rodrigo Duterte later said it was him who ordered Fox investigated.
He said that while Filipinos have “unlimited freedom of expression,” foreigners should not criticize lest they violate the country’s sovereignty.
He said Fox in particular should criticize her own Australian government which has allegedly turned away refugees coming to the country.
