(Eagle News) — Malacanang refuted allegations made by Australian elderly missionary nun Patricia Fox that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was a “reign of terror,” saying what is present is a “reign of strict enforcement of the laws.
“There is no reign of terror and tyranny in the Philippines. There is only a reign of fear in the minds and hearts of those who violated the law. They are terrified that the law is finally running after them. What we have is a reign of strict enforcement of the laws,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a press briefing on Monday, Nov. 5.
Still, Panelo said Fox was “entitled to her own opinion” and reminded the nun that as a foreigner living in the country before, she has “no political rights” during her stay in the Philippines.
“And that includes the freedom of expression,” he said. “They cannot be joining rallies, join a mass action, or speak against the government. They cannot do that.”
They should first become citizens of the land, before they can enjoy those rights,” Panelo explained in press briefing on Monday, Nov. 5.
He said Fox’s pronouncement was a “classic case of a classic case of an inappreciative tourist who saw nothing good and complained about the country which graciously extended its hospitality.”
“We take exception to the remarks of Sister Patricia Fox on the administration’s war against drugs saying that it is ‘a reign of terror and tyranny,'” he said.
In refuting Fox’s allegations, Panelo cited surveys that showed continued high trust ratings for President Duterte.
“These figures immediately repudiate Sister Fox’s misplaced, if not offensive, remarks towards our country,” he said.
While saying that the Philippine government had to take action against Fox for her violations, Panelo said that this didn’t mean that the Philippines was not thankful for whatever good deeds she had done to the country’s citizens.
“We are grateful for the good deeds she had performed, but that does not exempt her from the punishment imposed by law arising from (her) violations,” he explained.
He said that the Duterte administration had to “enforce the laws of the land regardless of who is involved.”
“Let no person, therefore, take lightly the President’s duty to serve and protect the people,” Panelo said.
