‘Plain and simple harassment,’ Del Rosario says of Hong Kong airport detention

MANILA, Philippines — After being held for four hours now, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday said his detention at the Hong Kong International Airport by immigration authorities was a clear case of “harassment.”

“I think it’s beginning to look like plain and simple harassment,” Del Rosario told radio dzMM.

READ: Ex-Foreign Secretary Del Rosario held, questioned at Hong Kong airport

Asked if he thinks the incident was triggered by the case he filed together with former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio at the International Criminal Court against Chinese President Xi Jinping last March for crimes against humanity, Del Rosario answered yes.

Morales was also barred from entering Hong Kong last May 21.

While Del Rosario said his camp would be studying their next step, he said his lawyer “believes that this is in clear violation of the Vienna convention.”

Del Rosario said  Hong Kong Immigration has yet to offer a clear reason for his detention.

“Ang malinaw na paliwanag is walang paliwanag,” he said.

Del Rosario added Hong Kong authorities have been informed of his visit through the details he provided the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The former DFA chief, who used to travel to Hong Kong for around six times a year for business meetings, said it was his first time to be held and questioned like this.

Del Rosario’s scheduled flight back to Manila is tonight. He was supposed to attend a First Pacific board and shareholders meetings in Hong Kong.

Representatives of the Philippine Consulate are also assisting him, he added.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

READ: Del Rosario says joint probe will redound partnership between PH, ‘bully’ China