Following the departure of Sister Patricia Fox from the Philippines, Vice President Leni Robredo said the Australian missionary seems to be “more Filipino than many of us.”

“Talagang babad na babad at nakakalungkot na pinaalis siya dito sa atin. Sabi ko nga…parang mas Pilipino pa siya kaysa sa marami sa atin (It is sad that she was deported. As I’ve said, he was even more Filipino than many of us.),” Robredo said in an interview with a local radio station on Sunday.

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“Nakakalungkot kasi ito iyong isang tao na hindi naman Pilipino pero inialay iyong kaniyang buhay for 27 years para tulungan iyong pinakamahihirap nating mga kababayan (She is not even a Filipino but she dedicated 27 years of her life to help our people),” she added.

The vice president also expressed dismay over the reason why Fox was forced to leave the country.

“Nakakalungkot na pulitika iyong naging dahilan. Nakakalungkot na iyong pagpahayag ng mga saloobin, parang, kailangan parati mong pagbayaran (It is sad that she was deported because of politics. It is sad that you always pay the price for expressing your thoughts),” Robredo said.

Fox left the country Saturday night after her year-long battle against her deportation case.

The Australian missionary worked for 27 years in the Philippines fighting for justice for the farmers and the poor.

Robredo is, however, optimistic that Fox will soon come back to the Philippines to continue her mission of helping the Filipino people.

“Pero gaya ng sabi ko, ito, pinatunayan na ng kasaysayan…na hindi tumatagal iyong masamang saloobin. Parating sa huli, kabutihan iyong mananaig,” the vice president noted.

(But like what I’ve said the past, history has proven that people with negative intent do not last. Ultimately, good will prevail.)

“Kaya tingin ko dadating iyong panahon na babalik din si Sister sa atin at ipagpapatuloy iyong misyon niya para tulungan iyong mga Pilipino,” she added.

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(So I believe that Sister Fox will return and she will continue her mission here of helping our people.) /ee

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