Siter Fox’s departure a timely reminder to other foreigners in the country not to violate any law

--- Palace

Malacañang on Monday, November 5, sent a stern warming to other foreigners living in the
country not to violate any laws following the departure of the famed Sister Patricia Fox on
November 3.

In a Palace press briefing, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson
Salvador S. Panelo said that foreigners like Sis. Fox do not enjoy the same rights as the country’s
citizens.

“We have already issued a warning. We said that the timely or the departure of Sister Fox is
timely reminder to those foreigners who come here that they do not enjoy the same political
rights as the citizens of the land,” Panelo said.

The Palace official added that before these foreigners could enjoy the same rights as the
citizen’s of this country, they should first become citizens themselves.

“As we said, all foreigners who stay and sojourn in this country do not have political rights and
that includes freedom of expression,” Panelo explained, citing foreigners cannot join rallies and
mass actions which speak ill against the government.

According to Sec. Panelo, while Sis. Fox is entitled to her own opinion, she does not enjoy the
same political rights as the citizens of this land.

Panelo likewise addressed Fox’s statement that there is a reign of terror in the country, saying
there is really a strict enforcement of the law against those who violate the law.

“There is a reign of fear on the minds and hearts of those violators because they know that the
law is running after them,” Panelo said.

Following Sis. Fox’s departure last November 3, Panelo extended his well wishes to the
missionary and thanked her for her services to the country, especially to the poor and
marginalized.

“As we said we are grateful for the good deeds she has performed. But that will not exempt her
from the punishment imposed by law arising from violations of the same,” he said.