MANILA, Philippines — Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was barred from entering Hong Kong, presumably due to the case she filed against China over the West Philippine Sea issue, former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday.
In March, Del Rosario and Morales filed case a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the “atrocious actions of Chinese officials in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory.”
READ: Del Rosario, Morales sue China leader in ICC
“Today, with the holding of Former Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio-Morales by immigration authorities in Hong Kong as a security risk, presumably due to the ICC case that we had filed, we are experiencing more of the same,” Del Rosario said in a statement.
Despite the incident, Del Rosario stood by their reasoning for filing the case — to fight the “bullying and harassment that we have been encountering from our Goliath of a neighbor.”
Del Rosario also thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for giving assurances that help will be extended to Morales.
“We are grateful to the DFA for their efforts in helping the former Ombudswoman,” Del Rosario said.
Morales was in Hong Kong for a vacation with her family but was barred from entering the country for being a “security threat.” The former Ombudsman will be deported and is expected to arrive in the country tonight. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
READ: BREAKING: Ex-Ombudsman Morales denied entry to HK for being ‘security threat