Makabayan bloc calls for probe into 'crackdown' on foreign missionaries

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Monday denounced the detention of a missionary from Zimbabwe and the confiscation of passports of two other foreign missionaries.

In filing House Resolution 1977, the Makabayan bloc said the detention of United Methodist Church missionary Tawanda Chandiwana and the retention of passports of Miracle Usman from Malawi and Adam Shaw from the United States “are the newest acts from the Duterte government’s crackdown on foreign missionaries helping human rights organizations.”

Miracle Osman, Tawanda Chandiwana and Adam Shaw. United Methodist Church

The seven party-list lawmakers also called for an investigation into these cases, saying the alleged violations are “deprivation of liberty, movement, and right to return of these foreign activists.”

The resolution was filed by Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro (ACT Teachers), Rep. Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis), Rep. Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), and Rep. Sarah Elago (Kabataan).

Chandiwana has been in custody since May 9 after being initially charged with overstaying his missionary visa. The charge, however, was expanded when his name was found on a “watchlist” of alleged subversives. He has denied the allegation.

His detention came less than a month after Australian nun Patricia Fox was held by the Bureau of Immigration for supposedly participating in partisan political activities.

The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries earlier said that Osman’s passport was confiscated while she attempted to renew her missionary visa, while Shaw was informed that a leave order is imminent.

Shaw, in a press briefing Monday, announced that he was allowed to leave the Philippine this week after obtaining an exit clearance.

In the same press briefing, members of the United Methodist Church appealed to the Philippine government for the immediate release of the missionaries.

The three of them participated in an International Fact-Finding Mission last February to investigate alleged human rights violations in Mindanao. — Philstar.com intern Ali Ian Marcelino Biong

READ: Rights group calls for release of foreign missionaries