Manila, Philippines- The Hong Kong International Airport today denied entry to former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Hong Kong officials didn’t explain why, according to media reports, but speculations are rife the move was in retaliation for Morales’ and former Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert Del Rosario’s legal action against Chinese President Xi Jinping brought before to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the Chinese government’s “systematic plan to control the South China Sea.”
Morales said she was barred entry to Hong Kong and that she will be deported to the Philippines.
Morales’ lawyer Anne Marie Corominas, who represented her before the ICC, explained that Morales was stopped upon her arrival at Hong Kong Immigration Terminal 1 because she was considered a “security threat.”
Morales arrived with her family on a Philippine Airlines flight.
“Kararating namin sa HK past 11am kanina. Kasama ko ang husbnd ko, son, daughter-in-law and two grand kids. Di ako pinayagan ng Immigration na pumasok sa HK,” Morales said.
“How is a 78 year old former anti-corruption ombudswoman a security threat in Hong Kong?” Corominas said.
Morales said she went to Hong Kong with her family for a vacation.
