Sen. Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines– Senator Panfilo Lacson had no doubts that the ordeal of two former government officials, who were held and questioned upon entry at the Hong Kong airport on separate occasions, had something to do with the case they filed against Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport on Friday, former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario was reportedly held and questioned by authorities.
READ: Ex-Foreign Secretary Del Rosario held, questioned at Hong Kong airport
Just a month ago, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was also stopped and questioned by Hong Kong authorities supposedly for being a “security threat.”
READ: Morales suffers 4-hour ordeal in Hong Kong
Del Rosario and Morales both filed in March a case against Xi for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Asked about assumptions that their ordeal had something to do with the ICC case, Lacson said in a text message: “That is not an assumption. It is what it’s all about.”
But while the incidents might have something to do with the case, Lacson pointed out that the denial of entry is the right of a host country, Hong Kong, in this case.
“First, a visa is a matter of privilege and not a right, as far as a visiting foreigner is concerned, and therefore denial of entry is within the right of the host country,” said the senator.
“Detention is another matter and the visitor is entitled to counsel and due process.”
“Having said that, it is the obligation of our embassies or consulates posted abroad to extend all kinds of assistance, legal and humanitarian, even medical to any Filipino,” he added. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)