The Bureau of Immigration has ordered the deportation of a Zimbabwean missionary and two of its members for overstaying and engaging in political activities, a violation of their stay in the country.
Ordered deported was Zimbabwe United Methodist Missionary Tawanda Chandiwana who was also the subject of a government intelligence report for his alleged involvement in leftist-organized activities.
The two United Methodist Church members, American national Adam Thomas Shaw and Malawian citizen Miracle Osman, were likewise ordered deported.
BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said that Chandiwana, Shaw and Osman are detained at the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig.
“Chandiwana was apprehended last May 9 in Toril, Davao, pursuant to a valid Mission Order from the Commissioner. Upon inspection, it was confirmed that he is an overstaying alien as his missionary visa expired last April 6. He also admitted to have been working in the country since October 2016, but sought a visa only in 2017,” she said.
On the other hand, Shaw arrived in the country in 2011, and admitted to have engaged in missionary works without a visa from 2011 to 2013.
He was granted a missionary visa upon his return to the Philippines in 2017, which expired last April 26. He was also ordered to leave for engaging in missionary works without a visa, overstaying, and for involvement in leftist activities.
Meanwhile, Osman was included in the BI’s watchlist last March 12, and was ordered to leave last June 18. Both were directed to submit their requirements for the fulfillment of their order to leave, before they could depart the country.
Shaw and Osman were subsequently included in the BI’s blacklist following reports on their involvement in leftist activities.
“Alien missionaries in the Philippines must be actually, directly, and exclusively engaged in religious work,” Sandoval said.
“They must not engage in any endeavor that is not consistent with their religious or missionary vocation,” the BI spokesperson said.
However, the BI clarified that there is no crackdown against foreign missionaries in the country.
“In fact, there are currently more than 500 lawful missionary visa holders in our records, and we welcome and appreciate their presence, as long as the visa is not abused for purposes of joining partisan political activities,” she added.