2 foreign missionaries sent home

MANILA, Philippines — Two of the three missionaries of the United Methodist Church, who were reportedly prevented from leaving the country for overstaying and taking part in political activities, have been sent home, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). 

Tawanda Chandiwana of Zimbabwe, who was held at Camp Bagong Diwa for more than a month, was deported at around noon yesterday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

Sandoval said American Adam Thomas Shaw was allowed to leave at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

There was no word on whether Miracle Osman of Malawi will also be sent home.  

The BI said Chandiwana was arrested on May 9 in Toril, Davao because his missionary visa expired on April 6.  

 BI records show that Shaw was engaged in missionary work without a visa from 2011 to 2013.   

Chandiwana, Shaw and Osman were in the BI’s blacklist also for reportedly engaging in ”leftist activities.”       

The Commission on Human Rights urged concerned government agencies to resolve pending cases against foreign missionaries, noting that they are also entitled to their human rights. – With Janvic Mateo