Lesson to learn when in another country

Most Filipinos by now must have already heard of the case of Sister Patricia Fox, the 71year-old Australian missionary nun arrested by Immigration agents last April 16 for engaging in political activities in violation of the terms of her missionary visa. Fox, who has been in and out of the Philippines for many years, has at last been ordered to finally leave the country.

Most Filipinos by now must have also heard of the many sectors that have come to her defense --from the usual smattering of activists in the religious sector to the actively vocal politicians from the opposition, to the left-leaning organizations to human rights advocates, virtually everybody that takes the side opposed to anything the government does has been heard from.

Everybody, it seems, has been accounted for. That is, at least, on the Philippine side. But where is the Australian side? There has hardly been a peep heard from the Australian side, at least not to the extent one would normally expect when something like this befalls the citizen of any country, not just Australia. Given the controversial nature of what happened to Sister Pat, as the nun is said to be fondly by her friends, one would have expected the outcry to be loud and clear.

But again, hardly has a peep been heard, if at all. And that is rather strange and extraordinary. Sister Pat is not just a missionary nun, she is also, for God's sake, 71. All the elements of a huge public outcry are there, at least from her own country. Instead, it would seem as if only the Filipinos are interested in her fate, even if, unfortunately, they are the Filipinos who have a known bent to keep to the other side of the political fence.

The entire Philippines did not erupt in a unified protest of anger and dismay. But then, if even her own country did not so much as raise a righteous ruckus over her brief detention and coming expulsion, what more can be expected of the few select Filipinos whose reactions are as predictable as the perpetuality of their causes and concerns.

If it is any consolation to Sister Pat, at least there are Filipinos she can conveniently count on her side, even if their support is far from personal but rather politically causal. At least she did not find herself alone. Perhaps her case should serve as a lesson for everyone, but most especially for Filipinos who may happen to find themselves abroad. And the neat lesson is to never engage in the politics of your host if you are just a visitor.