(Eagle News)—-President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 28, said the basis for the Bureau of Immigration’s directive for Australian nun Patricia Fox to leave the country was an order made by former Senator Leila de Lima herself.
“Yung may gawa ng rules niyan, kapag sumali ka doon sa protesta, mga political rallies, ide-deport ka, kaninong order ‘yan? Hindi ko man tinanggal. Ang aking kaibigan na sa loob ng presuhan, si de Lima,” Duterte said in a speech in Singapore.
He was apparently referring to Immigration Operation Order No. SBM-2015-025 signed by De Lima when she was Justice Secretary.
The order banned foreigners from “joining supporting, contributing or involving themselves in whatever manner in any rally, assembly, or gathering whether for or against the government.”
De Lima is detained in Camp Crame for drug-related charges.
“Kita mo, ang gag*, tahimik? Kami pa ang masama…Kung kayong gumagawa, okay lang. Kung kami ngayon, masama,” Duterte said.
He again lashed out at Fox, who he said had “no right” to “disrespect” policemen and the government in general even if she was a nun.
“Huwag masyado abusado na nakikiramay ka diyan sa mahirap…You behave,” he said.
Fox has said she would appeal the BI order, which said she leave the country in 30 days upon receipt.
This was after the agency found she violated the terms of her missionary visa, which was forfeited.