An American missionary has returned home after the Philippine government ordered him to leave for overstaying and engaging in political activities.
Adam Thomas Shaw was one of three foreign missionaries of the United Methodist Church handed expulsion orders by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for allegedly involving themselves in left-wing activisim.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), confirmed that he had arrived in Ohio today (Thursday, July 5).
A statement from the group read: “We consider Adam Shaw and his fellow missionaries as a living example that our Christian mission knows no borders.”
In a press conference on Monday (July 2), the missionary thanked Filipinos, especially those from Mindanao, “for welcoming me and for giving me a home”. He added: “A part of me will forever be here left behind.”
The BI ordered Shaw and two other Methodist missionaries – Tawanda Chandiwana of Zimbabwe, and Miracle Osman of Malawi – to leave the Philippines.
Chandiwana is still being held at the BI’s notorious detention centre at Bicutan, Taguig City, and will be deported once he submits his National Bureau of Investigation clearance.
Osman was also required to submit certain requirements before she can leave the Philippines.
The BI has now added Shaw, Chandiwana and Osman to its ‘blacklist’, meaning they can never return to the Philippines.
As we have previously reported, Australian Catholic missionary Sister Patricia Fox was also accused by the BI of joining political activities. The investigation into the 71-year-old’s activities was a direct order from President Duterte, who later accused her of having a “dirty mouth”.
The BI ordered Sister Patricia to leave the Philippines by May 23, only for the Department of Justice to allow her to remain in the country pending an appeal.
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