Ex-Ombudsman Morales denied entry to HK for being ‘security threat’

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was barred Tuesday from entering Hong Kong for being a “security threat.”

This was confirmed by lawyer Anne Marie Corominas in a telephone interview with INQUIRER.net: “She was held in a separate room, separated from her family and she was told she was a security threat.”

Corominas said they are coordinating with authorities regarding the case, but questioned the grounds of Hong Kong immigration for denying Morales entry to that country.

“Former Ombudswoman Carpio-Morales has over 50 years of unblemished record in government service. I don’t know what the security threat (is) unless President [Xi Jinping] is afraid of her,” Corominas noted.

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“We’re just asking how can a 78-year old former anti-corruption Ombudswoman be a security threat to China,” she added.

Corominas said Morales, who along with former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario filed a complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court over “atrocious actions of Chinese officials in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory,” will be deported by Hong Kong authorities.

READ: Morales: Xi under ICC jurisdiction for committing crimes within PH territory

She also said Morales will leave Hong Kong for Manila at 6 p.m. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)