MANILA, Philippines — Australian lay missionary Sister Patricia Fox "is more a Filipina and a patriot" for working alongside and championing the marginalized, political prisoners in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig said. This is how she has come to know and support our struggle," political prisoners detained in the jail's Special Intensive Care Area 1 said in a statement forwarded by rights group Karapatan. Karapatan and other activist groups say that charges against the political prisoners, many of whom are accused of being members of the New People's Army, are trumped up. The political prisoners said Fox has been an advocate of farmers and IP communities, and a government order for her to leave the country for participating in "political activities" is "anti-Filipino" since it would disadvantage the poor sectors she has been working with. "She is more Filipina and a patriot than Duterte and his minions in government," the political prisoners said, saying that, in contrast, "foreign investors who come in to plunder our natural resources and exploit the country’s cheap labor are being welcomed with open arms."

Source: Philippine Star April 29, 2018 04:07 UTC